My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a number of issues. Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations are published on a quarterly basis and are available on GOV.UK.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4414", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paul Scully"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sutton and Cheam"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Paul Scully"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-06-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-06-08T16:01:47.383Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "216"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Science, Innovation and Technology"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Science, Innovation and Technology"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-02-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Regeneration: Employment"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will have discussions with (a) the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and (b) local authorities on the potential for investment in employment opportunities through regeneration projects.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4471", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachael Maskell"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "York Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Rachael Maskell"} ], "uin" : "142773"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1280284", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1280284/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is clear that sexual offending is not tolerated in the Armed Forces and, if it does occur, we have processes in place to ensure that support is offered and provided to victims. Allegations made to the Service Police are considered fully and, subject to the outcome of any investigation, referred to the Director of Service Prosecutions (DSP) for a decision on charging. The conduct of investigations and decisions to charge are subject to independent decisions by the Provost Marshals and the DSP.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Service Police and Prosecutors who deal with allegations of sexual assault undergo the same training as those in the civilian criminal justice system and work to the same standards. I am confident that the service justice system provides an effective and fair system of justice for the men and women in the UK\u2019s Armed Forces; anyone failing to meet the clear and high standards of behaviour required to serve will be dealt with robustly, including dismissal.<\/p>
<\/p>
The MOD is in the process of implementing a number of recommendations following the Service Justice System Review, which will ensure the service justice system is more effective, efficient and provides a better service to those who use it, in particular victims and witnesses. The recommendations which require legislation form part of the Armed Forces Bill.<\/p>
<\/p>
Detailed statistics about sexual offending in the Service Justice System are published annually as part of our commitment to openness and transparency:<\/p>
<\/p>