Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Bridget Phillipson and Norman Baker

Monday 7th July 2014 Commons Chamber

[Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South) (Lab)]

T7. Over the past year I have been holding joint events with neighbourhood policing teams on dealing with antisocial behaviour, allowing constituents to share their concerns on a serious issue. Victims often report that they are left frustrated and concerned because despite the number of agencies involved, action is not always co-ordinated and progress can be slow. What will the Minister be doing about this?

[The Minister for Crime Prevention (Norman Baker)]

I refer the hon. Lady to the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which does a great deal to improve matters and which I must say some of her colleagues opposed when it came before the House. It introduces a range of sensible, well-judged new powers that will enable some of the problems that have occurred locally to be diminished. The measures include cross-working between different bodies involved in crime prevention.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Bridget Phillipson and Norman Baker

Monday 28th April 2014 Commons Chamber

[Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddleworth) (Lab)]

14. What recent progress she has made on tackling violence against women.

[The Minister for Crime Prevention (Norman Baker)]

The coalition Government published our updated action plan on 8 March, setting out recent progress to tackle violence against women and girls. We have begun the national roll-out of the domestic violence disclosure scheme and domestic violence protection orders; commissioned Her Majesty’s inspectorate of constabulary’s review into domestic abuse, and announced steps to ensure the recommendations are acted on; and criminalised forced marriage. We are continuing a robust programme to tackle female genital mutilation.

[Bridget Phillipson]

As the Minister is aware, the all-party group on domestic and sexual violence recently published a report on women’s access to justice, with a number of recommendations. I am grateful to the Minister for giving evidence to that inquiry. Will he set out what steps he will take to review our findings and to implement the recommendations?

[Norman Baker]

As the hon. Lady knows, I very much welcome that particular inquiry. She has considerable experience in this field, as I readily recognise. We are giving proper consideration to the recommendations, as she would expect, and we will make an announcement in due course. I very much welcome the work that has been done.

--- Later in debate ---

[Norman Baker]

I am very sympathetic to that suggestion. Children who are sexually exploited, whether for commercial or other reasons, should not be referred to as prostitutes. They are victims. We will consider references in all legislation and guidance as opportunities arise, as well as considering carefully the wording used in any new legislation or guidance.

[Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South) (Lab)]

T1. If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Bridget Phillipson and Norman Baker

Monday 10th March 2014 Commons Chamber

[Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South) (Lab)]

14. What recent steps she has taken to reduce antisocial behaviour.

[The Minister for Crime Prevention (Norman Baker)]

We are introducing measures through the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill that put victims at the heart of the response to tackling and reducing antisocial behaviour. Front-line professionals will have faster, more effective powers better to protect the public, and people will have a voice in how agencies tackle their problems through the community trigger and the community remedy.

[Bridget Phillipson]

I am grateful to the Minister for that answer, but he knows that antisocial behaviour remains a major concern. Constituents stress to me that agencies need to work together more quickly, and especially more effectively, to tackle it. What more can the Minister do to make that happen?

[Norman Baker]

I recognise that the hon. Lady thinks this is a problem in her constituency and has done some work on it. I acknowledge that. The measures we are taking through the new range of powers will not only give more flexibility to agencies. The community remedy will encourage agencies to work together, as I mentioned a moment ago, and the fact that perpetrators will have to take responsibility for their actions—dealing with them that way, through the new powers—will help to drive down antisocial behaviour.

Transport

Debate between Bridget Phillipson and Norman Baker

Monday 1st July 2013 Ministerial Corrections

[Bridget Phillipson]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Houghton and Sunderland South of 11 December 2012.

[Official Report, 24 June 2013, Vol. 565, c. 122W.]

Letter of correction from Norman Baker:

An error has been identified in the written answer given to the hon. Member for Houghton and Sunderland South (Bridget Phillipson) on 24 June 2013.

The full answer given was as follows:

[Norman Baker]

The Department for Transport does not have a record of receiving a letter from the hon. Member dated 11 December 2012, but we will be pleased to respond speedily if she could provide a copy.

The correct answer should have been: