The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andy Slaughter on 2015-10-22.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Ministerial Code updated in October 2015, what discussions he has had with the Cabinet Office on the removal from that code of reference to Ministers complying with international law, treaty obligations and upholding the administration of justice.
Matthew Hancock
Information relating to internal discussion and advice is not normally disclosed.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andy Slaughter on 2015-10-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will publish the overseas security and justice assistance guidance that was issued before the Government entered into the contract to provide training needs analysis to the Saudi penal system.
Andrew Selous
I refer the hon member to the Secretary of State’s statement of 13 October 2015. We have no plans to publish the overseas security and justice assistance (OSJA) guidance in relation to the bid to provide a training needs analysis to the Saudi Arabian prison service. No contract was entered into and the bid was withdrawn before the contract with the Saudi Government was signed.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andy Slaughter on 2015-10-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department conducted an (a) impact assessment and (b) internal review of the effect of the transfer of responsibility for freedom of information to the Cabinet Office prior to that transfer.
Dominic Raab
It is for the Prime Minister to decide on the overall organisation of the executive. The implications of transferring responsibility for the Freedom of Information Act to the Cabinet Office were considered prior to this change taking effect. A formal impact assessment was not necessary.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Craig Whittaker on 2015-10-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to re-open court room provision in (a) Todmorden and (b) other rural areas.
Mr Shailesh Vara
Access to justice is not just about proximity to a court. We are committed to providing alternatives to travel, for example through making better use of technology, including video conferencing, and exploring whether we can appropriately make use of civic buildings for certain types of hearing.
No decision has been taken to close any court. The consultation closed on 8 October and we are considering all responses carefully.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steve Rotheram on 2015-10-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to support suicidal and vulnerable inmates in (a) HMP Liverpool and (b) HMP Altcourse.
Andrew Selous
Every self-inflicted death is a tragedy and we are committed to reducing the number of self-inflicted deaths in prisons.
All prisons are required to have procedures in place to identify, manage and support people who are at risk of harm to themselves, and the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) has put in place additional resources to undertake this safer custody work. NOMS is also reviewing the operation of the case management process for prisoners assessed as being at risk and the Government is considering the recommendations of Lord Harris’ Review into the deaths in custody of young adults.
HMP Liverpool is implementing the recommendations arising out of the most recent inspection by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons, published on 20 October 2015. The prison has a full safer custody team, which has been allocated additional resources to support prisoners identified as being at risk. It operates a Listener peer support service in partnership with the Samaritans and will shortly be opening an early days centre to improve support for new prisoners.
HMP Altcourse has a local safer custody improvement plan that includes improvements to the support offered to prisoners in their early days. It also operates a Listener scheme with the support of the Samaritans.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Craig Whittaker on 2015-10-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what account was taken of the effect on access to justice in rural areas in his Department’s consultation on the Provision of the Court and Tribunal Estate.
Mr Shailesh Vara
Access to justice is not just about proximity to a court. We are committed to providing alternatives to travel, for example through making better use of technology, including video conferencing, and exploring whether we can appropriately make use of civic buildings for certain types of hearing.
No decision has been taken to close any court. The consultation closed on 8 October and we are considering all responses carefully.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kirsten Oswald on 2015-10-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, who represented the Government at the third International Conference on Financing for Development in Addis Ababa; and what steps the Government took to consult with NGOs, churches and other stakeholders on the UK’s contribution in advance of that conference.
Justine Greening
As Secretary of State for International Development I led the UK delegation at the third International Conference on Financing for Development in Addis Ababa. In the run up to the conference, the UK Government undertook a programme of consultations on the FFD agenda with a range of stakeholders, including BOND, the UK membership body for organisations working in international development, whose members include Christian Aid and CAFOD.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Sturdy on 2015-10-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to assist Christian refugees in Syria who are being persecuted.
Mr Desmond Swayne
The Government have been clear in condemning the horrific attacks on religious communities by violent extremists including ISIL. All UK funded assistance is distributed on the basis of need to ensure civilians are not discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion, or ethnicity. We prioritise reaching the most vulnerable people across Syria, including Christians and those who have suffered from such violence. DFID continues to work with the UN and the international community to ensure all minorities’ rights are protected and our aid reaches those in greatest need.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Mulholland on 2015-10-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 22 October 2015 to Written Question 11808, who attended the first meeting of the Community Engagement Forum, on 13 October 2015.
Karen Bradley
The following individuals attended the first meeting of the Community Engagement Forum on 13 October 2015:
• David Cameron, Prime Minister
• Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister for Countering Extremism
• Theresa May, Home Secretary
• Louise Casey, Department for Communities and Local Government
• Max Chambers, Special Adviser on Home Affairs
• Camilla Cavendish, Number 10
• Brendan Threlfall, Number 10
• Arooj Shah, Councillor, St Mary’s Ward, Oldham
• Sean Harriss, Chief Executive, Lambeth Council
• Paul Martin, Chief Executive, Wandsworth Council
• Sheikh Musa Admani, Imam and Muslim chaplain, City University, London
• Fareed Ahmad, Ahmadiyya Muslim Association
• Farooq Aftab, General Secretary, Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association
• Michael Nazir-Ali, former Bishop of Rochester
• Khatun Sapnara, circuit judge • Aina Khan, solicitor
• Fiyaz Mughal OBE, Director, Faith Matters
• Sadja Mughal OBE, Director, Jan Trust
• Haras Rafiq, Managing Director, Quilliam Foundation
• Sara Khan, Co-founder and Director, Inspire
• Wahida Shaffi, Near Neighbours Coordinator; National Women’s Programme Lead, Christian Muslim Forum
• Faiza Vaid, Executive Director, Muslim Women’s Network
• Aysha and Kiran Iqbal Patel, Directors, Odara
• Kamal Hanif OBE, Executive Head, Waverley School, Birmingham
• Alun Francis, Principal and Chief Executive, Oldham College
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Mulholland on 2015-10-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will provide information on the (a) age, (b) race, (c) gender, (d) religion and (e) region of residence of the 700 individuals referred to in paragraph 88 of her Department’s Counter-Extremism Strategy, published on 19 October 2015.
Karen Bradley
The Home Office intends to publish Channel data in the near future.