Options are being considered for the future of the Fund, consistent with its object of extinguishing or reducing the national debt. A proposal will be set out in due course.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1560", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Jeremy Wright"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Kenilworth and Southam"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jeremy Wright"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-09-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "10207"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-09-17T15:53:51.39Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "88"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Attorney General"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Attorney General"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-09-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "National Fund"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Attorney General, whether it is his policy to facilitate the transfer of funds of the National Debt Fund Charity to the Treasury in a manner that is consistent with the charitable objectives of the National Debt Fund.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1561", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Nick Hurd"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Nick Hurd"} ], "uin" : "10237"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/418622", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Attorney General"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/418622/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Options are being considered for the future of the Fund, consistent with its object of extinguishing or reducing the national debt. A proposal will be set out in due course.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1560", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Jeremy Wright"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Kenilworth and Southam"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jeremy Wright"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-09-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "10237"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-09-17T15:53:51.313Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "88"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Attorney General"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Attorney General"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-09-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "National Fund"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Attorney General, what progress he has made on discussions about the future of the National Debt Fund charity; and what steps he is taking to secure legal approval to change the charitable objects of that charity and remove the requirement on it to pay off the whole national debt.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1561", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Nick Hurd"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Nick Hurd"} ], "uin" : "10207"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/418741", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Attorney General"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/418741/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The decision to prosecute Gurpal Virdi for misconduct in public office and indecent assault was made in accordance with the Full Code Test as set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors. The case was handled by a specialist unit within the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), prosecuted by Treasury Counsel and supervised at very senior levels of the CPS.<\/p>
There was detailed legal argument and a defence application to dismiss the case before trial. The application failed. At trial no defence submission was made to the trial judge that the matter should not be left to the jury. Mr Virdi was subsequently acquitted by the jury after a full trial.<\/p>
I understand that the CPS has already written to my Hon. Friend with a more detailed explanation of the decision making in this case and I am satisfied that the CPS have handled the prosecution appropriately. However, I am happy to meet my Hon. Friend along with representatives of the CPS to discuss the case further if required.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1560", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Jeremy Wright"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Kenilworth and Southam"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jeremy Wright"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-09-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-09-30T10:16:16.643Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "88"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Attorney General"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Attorney General"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-09-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Gurpal Virdi"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Attorney General, if he will meet hon. Members and representatives of the Crown Prosecution Service to discuss the prosecution of Councillor Gurpai Virdi in the case heard at Southwark Crown Court starting on 27 July 2015.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/117", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Peter Bottomley"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Worthing West"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir Peter Bottomley"} ], "uin" : "10211"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/418282", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Attorney General"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/418282/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) announced in August 2012 that the Director had opened a criminal investigation into allegations concerning GPT and aspects of the conduct of their business in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.<\/p>
<\/p>
I can confirm that the SFO has executed a search warrant and a number of arrests have been made in relation to this matter.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4106", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Swindon"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Robert Buckland"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-09-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-09-15T14:16:24.57Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "88"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Attorney General"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Attorney General"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-09-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "GPT Special Project Management"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Attorney General, what progress has been made on the Serious Fraud Office's investigation into allegations of bribery in the GPT Special Project Management programme; and when he expects the investigation to conclude.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/373", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir David Davis"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Haltemprice and Howden"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr David Davis"} ], "uin" : "9930"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/417510", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Attorney General"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/417510/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does hold records identifying the number of defendants prosecuted, at the Crown Court, where the Principal Offence has been identified as homicide. However, it does not maintain a separate central record of defendants prosecuted specifically for murder or of cases where the issue of loss of control has been raised as a live issue. This information could only be obtained by examining CPS case files, which would incur a disproportionate cost.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4106", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Swindon"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Robert Buckland"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-09-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-09-14T16:33:04.953Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "88"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Attorney General"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Attorney General"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-09-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Homicide: Trials"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Attorney General, in how many murder trials the issue of the loss of control of the defendant was raised in each year since 2010; and if he will estimate in how many such trials (a) female and (b) male defendants were not convicted of murder on those grounds.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1565", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Philip Davies"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Shipley"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Philip Davies"} ], "uin" : "9375"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/417511", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Attorney General"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/417511/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) records show that, between 1st April 2009 and 10 September 2015, there have been 114 cases, recorded as assisted suicide or euthanasia, referred by the Police. 24 of these cases were later withdrawn by the police.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
The CPS central record cannot be filtered to identify how many referrals were received in each year. This information could only be obtained by manually examining CPS case files, which would incur a disproportionate cost.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4106", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Swindon"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Robert Buckland"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-09-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-09-11T13:10:52.217Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "88"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Attorney General"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Attorney General"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-09-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Euthanasia"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Attorney General, in how many cases of assisted suicide the Crown Prosecution Service has received files in each of the last six years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1516", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andy Slaughter"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hammersmith"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Andy Slaughter"} ], "uin" : "9398"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/417722", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Attorney General"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/417722/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The payment of witness expenses and allowances to prosecution witnesses, where the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is the prosecuting authority, is governed by the Crown Prosecution Service (Witnesses\u2019 etc. Allowances) Regulations 1988.<\/p>
The rates payable in accordance with the Regulations are designed to provide compensation to witnesses attending court but not necessarily full reimbursement of all costs incurred, including loss of earnings, whether the witness is employed or self-employed. The aim is to strike a balance between providing a reasonable level of compensation to witnesses and ensuring that public money is spent appropriately.<\/p>
It is important that the allowances are set at a level that does not discourage the public from coming forward to give evidence and rates are subject to regular review. Nevertheless, limits on the amounts payable are necessary if the Government is to maintain control over public spending in order to direct limited resources to areas of greatest need.<\/p>
The witness allowance rates are due to be reviewed shortly.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4106", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Swindon"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Robert Buckland"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-09-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-09-15T14:57:17.127Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "88"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Attorney General"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Attorney General"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-09-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Witnesses: Self-employed"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Attorney General, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of reimbursing self-employed witnesses for loss of earnings when they are obliged to attend court.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/210", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Hoey"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Vauxhall"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Kate Hoey"} ], "uin" : "9623"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/417128", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Attorney General"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/417128/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has participated in carbon offsetting resulting from air travel. However, it has not kept central records of expenditure in respect of carbon offsetting in the last three years and to provide this information would incur a disproportionate cost.<\/p>
The Government Legal Department has spent £171.28 on carbon offsetting over the last 3 financial years. In 2012-13, £42.13 was paid South Pole Holding AG and in 2013-14 £129.15 was paid to Carbon Footprint Ltd. The companies paid were those who won the e-auctions to provide Certified Emissions Reductions (CERs) held by Crown Commercial Services in each of the years identified.<\/p>
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has spent £153 towards carbon offsetting over the last three years through Crown Commercial Services carbon offsetting arrangements. In 2013, £79 was paid for Fujian Wind power for 116 CERS (Certified Emission Reductions) and £74 to EDF for 104 CERS in January 2014.<\/p>
The Attorney General\u2019s Office and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate have not incurred any expenditure on carbon offsetting over the past three years.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4106", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Swindon"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Robert Buckland"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-09-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-09-14T16:30:45.197Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "88"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Attorney General"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Attorney General"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-09-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Attorney General: Carbon Emissions"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Attorney General, how much the Law Officers' Departments spent on carbon offsetting in each of the last three years; and to which companies payments in respect of carbon offsetting were made in each such year.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1565", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Philip Davies"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Shipley"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Philip Davies"} ], "uin" : "9162"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/392087", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Attorney General"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/392087/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Law Officers frequently meet representatives of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) to discuss a variety of issues. However, as was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government\u2019s policy to provide details of all such meetings.<\/p>
<\/p>