The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Goodman on 2016-04-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, in how many court cases diplomatic immunity was claimed in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13, (d) 2013-14 and (e) 2014-15.
James Duddridge
A number of claims of diplomatic immunity have been advanced through the UK courts. However, statistics and details are not recorded centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kirsty Blackman on 2016-04-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average waiting time was for an immigration appeal hearing in HM Courts and Tribunal service in each of the last five years.
Mr Shailesh Vara
The average waiting time (in weeks) from receipt of an appeal to first hearing for all case types in the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) in each of the last five calendar years was:
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kirsty Blackman on 2016-04-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what monitoring his Department undertakes of waiting times for immigration appeal hearings.
Mr Shailesh Vara
HMCTS regularly monitors waiting times for immigration and asylum appeal hearings across the UK. They are considered monthly by the HMCTS Board and the Ministry of Justice Executive Committee. Tribunal Statistics, including average waiting times for appeals, are published quarterly by the Ministry of Justice. These can be viewed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tribunals-statistics
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kirsty Blackman on 2016-04-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what guidance he has issued to HM Courts and Tribunals Service on minimum standards for keeping appellants updated of future court dates and waiting times for those dates.
Mr Shailesh Vara
Tribunal Procedure Rules require HMCTS to notify appellants of their hearing date, time and place upon listing. If there is any change to a hearing date, such as a postponement or adjournment, HMCTS issues a further notice in writing to confirm the change. If an appellant has any questions or concerns about their hearing date they can contact the Tribunal via the HMCTS Contact Centre.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Philip Hollobone on 2016-04-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the Answer of 16 December 2013, column 507W, what the updated figures are for the latest period available.
Mr Shailesh Vara
The average waiting time from receipt to disposal for all Social Security and Child Support appeals between October and December 2015 (the latest period for which figures are available) was 19 weeks nationally and 15.9 weeks in the Kettering venue.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Mackintosh on 2016-04-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to provide young offenders with (a) rehabilitation and (b) education to reduce the likelihood of them reoffending.
Andrew Selous
Although youth crime is down, reoffending rates are far too high and the care and supervision of young offenders in custody is not good enough.
That is why the Justice Secretary has asked Charlie Taylor to conduct a review of youth justice. He will report back later this year with recommendations on how to improve the treatment of young people in our care.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Anna Turley on 2016-04-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to help tackle serious cases of animal cruelty.
George Eustice
In this country we have one of the most comprehensive pieces of legislation anywhere in the world to protect animals. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 it is an offence either to cause any captive animal unnecessary suffering or to fail to provide for its welfare needs. The maximum penalty is 6 months’ imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. The financial element of the penalty was raised only last year from a maximum fine of £20,000. Courts can also disqualify offenders found guilty of animal cruelty from keeping animals for as long a period as they consider appropriate. The overwhelming majority of people in this country are responsible but in circumstances where cruelty does occur I believe we have the necessary measures for enforcement agencies and courts to take action.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alex Chalk on 2016-04-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her Department will take steps to support National Stalking Awareness Week.
Karen Bradley
The Government has committed £80 million to support victims of violence against women and girls, including, stalking, between 2016 and 2020. This includes funding for the National Stalking Helpline run by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust.
We have strengthened the law by introducing new offences of stalking in 2012. In 2014-15, there were 1,103 prosecutions commenced under the new stalking offences, an increase of 50% over the previous year (2013-14).
To mark National Stalking Awareness Week, we are raising awareness of the increases in prosecutions and convictions for these crimes to help improve victim confidence in the criminal justice system.
Additionally, we have consulted on the introduction of a new civil Stalking Protection Order to tackle perpetrators at an early stage to help prevent victims becoming targets of a prolonged campaign of abuse. Our response to this consultation will be published in due course. Through the Police Innovation Fund, we are supporting the police to identify ways to manage the significant volume of online material in abuse, harassment and stalking cases, so that evidence can be collected more easily and a strong case built to bring a prosecution.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2016-04-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much the Government has contributed to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees’ appeal for the Burundi humanitarian response in 2016; what steps she is taking to encourage international partners to contribute to that fund; and if she will make a statement.
Mr Nick Hurd
The UK is very concerned about the ongoing political and human rights crisis in Burundi, and the flow of refugees to neighbouring countries. DFID has contributed £21.15 million in Tanzania and Rwanda towards the UNHCR regional refugee response plan since April 2015 to support shelter, food, healthcare and livelihoods assistance for Burundian refugees. The 2016 Burundi Regional Refugee Response Plan was published in January and appeals for $313.8 million to support 330,000 refugees in Tanzania, Rwanda, DRC and Uganda. DFID is currently reviewing the 2016 allocation to this appeal and intends to release further funds in coming months. DFID is also supporting refugees in the DRC and Uganda through existing programmes and the provision of technical advice. DFID has deployed a humanitarian adviser to the region in support of the response and to monitor funding provided so far.
DFID officials across the region are working closely with national and international counterparts – including UNHCR, the EU, World Bank, NGOs and other donors – to ensure that humanitarian needs in Burundi and the region are met. We are encouraging developmental donors in Burundi to re-programme funds quickly to maintain the basic functions of the state – such as health centres – and working with the international financial institutions (IFIs) to respond to the growing needs and develop programmes that support the resilience of existing systems.
The Humanitarian Response Plan for Burundi was published in March 2016 and appeals for $62.3 million to support 1.1 million people. DFID is currently reviewing a potential contribution to the appeal, and is undertaking contingency planning should the situation deteriorate.
DFID continues to monitor the situation closely with the FCO, and liaises regularly with interested and influential parties such as the Archbishop of Canterbury, in order to pressure the international community to act and focus attention on the crisis.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-04-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to the Government response to the International Development Committee’s Third Report of Session 2014-15, UK’s development work in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, what progress she has made on providing support from the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund to people-to-people projects in Palestine involving people of all faiths.
Mr Desmond Swayne
The UK has supported several people-to-people projects through the Conflict Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) which have now come to an end. We are open to considering further support through the CSSF for strong co-existence projects that bring Israelis and Palestinians together, where these would deliver a positive impact, represent value for money, and follow the requirements for how CSSF funds may be used.