Tag: 2016

Richard Fuller – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Attorney General

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Fuller on 2016-01-19.

To ask the Attorney General, how many prosecutions have been brought under the Fraud Act 2006 in each year since 2009.

Robert Buckland

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not maintain a central record of the number of prosecutions brought under the Fraud Act 2006. However, records are held showing the overall number of offences charged in which a prosecution commenced in the magistrates’ courts (the distinction being that some prosecutions involved multiple offences). These figures are detailed in the following table:

Year	Number of offences charged under the Fraud Act 2006 in which a prosecution commenced in the magistrates’ court*
2009-10	27,759
2010-11	29,592
2011-12	28,164
2012-13	26,581
2013-14	25,832
2014-15	26,113

* Data Source: CPS management information system

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigates and, where appropriate, prosecutes the topmost tier of serious or complex fraud cases. The SFO charges offences under the most appropriate legislation in each investigation, and not only the Fraud Act.

The number of individuals charged by the SFO for offences under the Fraud Act (2006) is shown in the table below.

Year	Number of individuals charged under the Fraud Act 2006*
2009	5
2010	7
2011	2
2012	2
2013	4
2014	1
2015	6

* This type of casework information for the years prior to 2012 was not collated centrally in the same way and so the information for these years reflects the records from the time.

01/01/2023

Stephen Hepburn – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Hepburn on 2016-02-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average time taken was between a fatal accident in construction and a conviction on the latest date for which data is available.

Justin Tomlinson

For fatalities in construction (Standard Industrial Classification, section F) reported to HSE between 2006/07 and 2014/15, the average time between the date of the incident and the date of the first hearing where a conviction is recorded is 1208 days. The time between the incident and conviction dates by yearly time bands is as follows:

Date of Conviction	Average number of days between incident date and conviction date
2006/2007	985
2007/2008	1234
2008/2009	1153
2009/2010	1214
2010/2011	1251
2011/2012	1251
2012/2013	1336
2013/2014	1185
2014/2015	1267

Within the overall time frame from fatal incident to conviction a number of discrete stages may be involved and these are performed by different agencies largely out of HSE’s control:

The police assume primacy initially and retain it until negligent homicide offences have been identified or eliminated.

Where negligent homicide is suspected, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will consider a file submitted to them by the Police.

HSE works closely with the police and CPS throughout this phase in accordance with the Work Related Deaths Protocol (WRDP) to which the Police, CPS, HSE and other regulators are signatories.

Before HSE brings a prosecution it is normal to await the outcome of an inquest held by HM Coroner.

If a defendant has been charged it can take some time for the case to come to trial particularly where if　it is defended and heard in the Crown Court.

Recognising the importance to victims of ensuring all stages of the process are concluded as quickly as possible, the WRDP National Liaison Committee recently agreed that any decision to prosecute should be made within 3 years of the date of death other than in exceptional circumstances – currently approximately 85% of investigations are completed within this timescale.

For its part HSE has an internal target of completing 95% of fatal accident investigations within 12 months of assuming primacy – attainment is now at 70% and the trend is improving.

01/01/2023

Lord Alton of Liverpool – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool on 2016-03-02.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made on behalf of the 12 Christian leaders tried in Zhejiang Province of China in February and what assessment they have made of (1) the impact of that trial and the sentences handed down on the right to freedom of religion or belief in China, and (2) how those events have been received in China.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We pay close attention to the human rights situation in China and regularly raise our concerns about freedom of religion and the restrictions placed on Christianity. We make representations on specific cases during the annual UK-China Human Rights Dialogue. The next Dialogue is scheduled for April 2016. We also raise our public concerns about freedom of religion and belief in China in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy.

Regarding the recent trial of Christian leaders in Zhejiang, we remain concerned about the application of due legal process and transparency of justice in China. We are particularly concerned that people seeking to peacefully exercise their right to freedom of expression or belief are being prevented from doing so. We urge China to protect civil and political rights in line with its constitution and international human rights commitments.

01/01/2023
Douglas Carswell – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Carswell on 2016-04-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what legislative provisions there are to prevent the husband of a child bride bringing that bride into the UK.

James Brokenshire

Under the family Immigration Rules both an applicant for a spouse visa and their sponsor must be aged 18 or over.

01/01/2023
Nicholas Soames – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Soames on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport about moving the Knightsbridge Barracks to an alternative location in the Royal Parks.

Mark Lancaster

The Secretary of State for Defence holds regular reviews of the Ministry of Defence estate, including the wider London Estate, in the context of the emerging Estate Optimisation work.

There have been no recent discussions between the Secretary of State for Defence and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport about moving Hyde Park Barracks (located in Knightsbridge) to an alternative location in the Royal Parks.

01/01/2023
Paul Blomfield – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Blomfield on 2016-06-20.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 1 March 2016 to Question 25631, whether HM Revenue and Customs has completed its investigations into the six social care companies; and what recent assessment he has made of the extent of National Minimum Wage compliance in the social care sector.

Mr David Gauke

The government is committed to increasing compliance with minimum wage legislation and effective enforcement of it. Everyone who is entitled to the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage should receive it. Employers who pay workers less than the minimum or living wage not only have to pay back arrears of wages at current rates but also face financial penalties of up to £20,000 per underpaid worker.

HMRC has not completed all the investigations into the six social care companies. HMRC continues to be aware of the risks of underpayment of NMW in the social care sector and is prioritising complaints from workers; working with other agencies and departments to raise awareness of the rules; and undertaking targeted enforcement to ensure that workers are paid what they are legally owed.

01/01/2023
Peter Kyle – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Prime Minister

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Kyle on 2016-09-13.

To ask the Prime Minister, if she will appoint a new Apprenticeships Adviser.

Mrs Theresa May

The Department for Education is in charge of the apprenticeships policy. I will continue to make any appointments, as they are required, to deliver the government’s agenda.

01/01/2023
Callum McCaig – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Callum McCaig on 2016-01-19.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of per capita GDP in each of the nations of the UK in each of the last five years.

Mr Rob Wilson

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

01/01/2023
Stewart Malcolm McDonald – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stewart Malcolm McDonald on 2016-02-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation in Bahrain.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We continue to encourage the Government of Bahrain to meet its human rights obligations and to honour all conventions to which it is a party. We welcome the progress made by Bahrain on their reform programme, particularly with organisations that provide independent oversight of police behaviour and standards in detention.

01/01/2023
Lord West of Spithead – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2016-03-02.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the risks posed to the UK by terrorists using drones, and the recent comments by the British Airline Pilots Association and others regarding the risks posed by drones, what consideration they have given to (1) the introduction of a system of mandatory drone registration in the UK, (2) the introduction of mandatory geo-fencing by all drone manufacturers, and (3) the possible banning of private ownership of drones exceeding a certain payload capacity.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

The Department for Transport (DfT) is currently working with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to develop consistent, EU-wide safety rules for drones.

The Department and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) work with a wide range of industry partners across the aviation sector, (including manufacturers, airports, and airlines), to ensure our understanding of potential hazards to aircraft remains up-to-date and mitigations effective.

This collaboration is also considering the need for other potential drone policies, such as geo-fencing. There are a number of drone models already sold in the UK with types of this technology installed and we are assessing the potential for solutions that could restrict drone operations around airports and other key infrastructure.

We are also in contact with other governments about the potential costs and benefits of registration systems, and, in particular, whether this improves the transparency of ownership.

The Cross Government Working Group has undertaken analysis of the use of drones for criminal purposes, including the potential use of drones for terrorist purposes, and the impacts of their negligent use near sensitive locations, such as airports. This work is kept under review and is being used to inform research and testing to improve mitigation techniques and strategies.

Guidance on tackling the risks of criminal drone use has been provided to constabularies across the UK.

Education of drone users is vital. The DfT is working with the CAA on raising awareness of responsible drone use. This includes the CAA’s ‘Drone Code’ safety awareness campaign and the issuing of safety leaflets at the point of sale.

01/01/2023