Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Baroness McIntosh of Pickering and Crispin Blunt

Tuesday 15th May 2012 Commons Chamber

[Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con)]

I welcome the investment that the Government have made in rape centres. Can the Minister tell me when the sexual assault and rape centre is going to open in North Yorkshire and whether all the partners are signed up to it?

[Mr Blunt]

I will write to my hon. Friend, to make sure that I get the precise details correct in respect of her centre.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Baroness McIntosh of Pickering and Crispin Blunt

Tuesday 28th June 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Blunt]

As the hon. Gentleman will know, the House decided when we passed the Crime and Security Act 2010 that it was likely that the forward-looking scheme would relate to the criminal injuries compensation scheme. We are coming forward with proposals on the criminal injuries compensation scheme and are taking these things in tandem.

[Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con)]

Will the Minister give the House an assurance that any such ex gratia payments will regard Foreign Office advice as having been followed at the time of the terrorism incident?

[Mr Blunt]

My hon. Friend is correct to say that that was a factor alluded to during the passage of the 2010 Act. For the precise details of the scheme she is talking about, which would apply retrospectively, I am afraid that she will have to wait until we come forward with our proposals in due course.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Baroness McIntosh of Pickering and Crispin Blunt

Tuesday 29th March 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Blunt]

There is a review of the criminal injuries compensation scheme going on, and we intend to address the issue alongside that review and publish our proposals at the same time.

[Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con)]

If it is the case that squatting has been made illegal in Scotland, will the Justice team look favourably on the Scottish proposals and make it illegal in this country as well?

[Mr Blunt]

We are certainly looking at the Scottish example, and I hope that when we bring our proposals forward, my hon. Friend will warmly welcome them.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Baroness McIntosh of Pickering and Crispin Blunt

Tuesday 15th February 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Blunt]

Those assessments are a matter of health rather than justice, so the Department of Health is leading on establishing the liaison for diversion services.

[Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con)]

T4. How does the Lord High Chancellor envisage promoting the big society in his Department, particularly in terms of shop theft and having some kind of community payback in relation to those who have stolen from society in that way?

[Mr Blunt]

I am very grateful to my hon. Friend who has done particularly good work in this area in getting policy changes under the previous Administration. We want to make restorative justice and compensation orders the first point of departure for such offences so that offenders are able to make good to their victims.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Baroness McIntosh of Pickering and Crispin Blunt

Tuesday 11th January 2011 Commons Chamber

[Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con)]

5. What his most recent estimate is of the incidence of repeat offending for shoplifting offences; and if he will make a statement.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Mr Crispin Blunt)]

In 2008, the rate of reconviction within one year for adults convicted of offences related to shoplifting was 78.3%. That is an unacceptably high rate and, as set out in the Green Paper on sentencing and rehabilitation, we are committed to punishing and rehabilitating criminals and turning them away from a life of crime.

[Miss McIntosh]

Does my hon. Friend agree that every crime of theft is a crime against society—big society and small society—and that the fixed penalty notices introduced by the previous Government are simply not working to address the issues? Will the Government focus on rehabilitating those who reoffend, particularly if they have a known substance abuse?