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Written Question
Prorogation: Legal Costs
Friday 4th October 2019

Asked by: David Hanson (Labour - Delyn)

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Attorney General, how much was spent by the UK Government in undertaking legal action in the (a) Cherry and others (Respondents) v Advocate General for Scotland (Appellant) (Scotland), (b) R (on the application of Miller) (Appellant) v The Prime Minister (Respondent) in the Supreme Court, (c) case number CO/3385/2019 in the High Court, (d) reclaiming motion by Joanna Cherry QC MP and others against the Advocate General in the Outer Court of Scotland and (e) (First) Joanna Cherry QC MP and others for judicial review in the Outer Court of Scotland cases.

Answered by Michael Ellis

No estimate has been made of the total costs of the prorogation litigation, which only recently concluded. We expect to know the final figures in November.


Written Question
Criminal Proceedings: Travel
Friday 5th July 2019

Asked by: David Hanson (Labour - Delyn)

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Attorney General, what his Department's policy is on the reimbursement of travel expenses to people who have been in the criminal justice system.

Answered by Lucy Frazer - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

It is essential that victims are supported in the criminal justice system, and the Government has made this a key priority. The reimbursement of travel expenses can be made to those who have been called as a witness in the Criminal Justice System.

The payment of expenses and allowances to prosecution witnesses, where the Crown Prosecution Service is the prosecuting authority, is governed by the Crown Prosecution Service (Witnesses’ etc. Allowances) Regulations 1988. Full guidance on expenses and allowances for prosecution witnesses can be found here: https://www.cps.gov.uk/publication/witness-expenses-and-allowances

The rates or scales of expenses for defence witnesses are determined by the Ministry of Justice. The payment of expenses incurred by those called as a witness on behalf of a defendant are set out in Regulations made under Sections 19 and 20 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985. Full guidance on expenses and allowances can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/592291/guide-allowances-under-part-v-costs-criminal-cases-general-september-2016.doc. In addition, any acquitted defendant whose costs are ordered by a court to be paid out of central funds may be allowed the same travelling and subsistence allowances as if they attended to give evidence (i.e. an ordinary witness subsistence allowance, plus travelling expenses).


Written Question
European Arrest Warrants
Thursday 27th October 2016

Asked by: David Hanson (Labour - Delyn)

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Attorney General, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the use of the European Arrest Warrant.

Answered by Robert Buckland

The European Arrest Warrant (EAW) provides a basis for a swift and cost-efficient extradition process between EU Member States implementing the principle of ‘mutual recognition’ of judicial decisions. The UK continues to work closely with Member States to execute EAW following the referendum.


Written Question
Rape: Convictions
Thursday 21st July 2016

Asked by: David Hanson (Labour - Delyn)

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Attorney General, what assessment he has made of the reasons for variations across police force areas in conviction rates for rape offences.

Answered by Robert Buckland

There are a number of factors at various stages that are likely to have an impact on conviction rates for rape, but the Crown Prosecution Service is committed to improving the conviction rate for rape by working closely with partners in all police force areas.

In order to provide consistency of approach, the CPS has also established networks of Violence against Women and Girls co-ordinators.


Written Question
Attorney General: Pay
Wednesday 24th February 2016

Asked by: David Hanson (Labour - Delyn)

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Attorney General, what the average hourly earnings of (a) female, (b) male, (c) full-time and (d) part-time employees of the Law Officers' Departments were in each of the last five years.

Answered by Robert Buckland

The information requested is contained in the attached tables.