Terrorist Offenders (Restriction of Early Release) Bill

Debate between Henry Smith and Robert Buckland

2nd reading & 2nd reading: House of Commons
Wednesday 12th February 2020 Commons Chamber

[Robert Buckland]

My right hon. Friend speaks with unparalleled experience of these issues, both as Home Secretary and as Prime Minister. I can assure her—I will develop these issues later in my speech—that there is a constant self-questioning among those responsible for these programmes to make sure that they are properly calibrated, that they understand the particular drivers that compel people to commit these acts, and that the distinctions between the different types of offender are fully understood; from her own case experience she will know of myriad motivations. Rather than taking a blanket approach, a case-by-case analysis is very much at the heart of how we approach these matters.

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

My right hon. and learned Friend is absolutely right that this legislation ending the automatic halfway point of release is the correct thing to do. The Parole Board obviously still has a very important role in this process. What reform of the Parole Board does he envisage to make it more accountable, because that is a key aspect of ensuring that citizens are kept safe from those who would cause them harm?

[Robert Buckland]

My hon. Friend will be reassured that a lot of ongoing work continues with regard to the role of the Parole Board. Very recently, reforms were introduced that allow me to ask the Parole Board to reconsider important decisions that it makes with regard to the release, or early release, of offenders. A tailored review is currently being undertaken to make sure that its work is as practically effective as possible.

In our manifesto, we committed to a root-and-branch review, to ensure that victims are aware and as involved as possible from the outset and that the sharing of intelligence and information between the security services, the police and the Parole Board is as thorough and comprehensive as possible, so that the fullest and most appropriate assessment of risk can be made. In the area of counter-terrorism, nothing can be more important than ensuring that that intelligence is shared and that those who handle it have the appropriate clearances and expertise to make the necessary assessment.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Henry Smith and Robert Buckland

Thursday 8th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

7. What steps the Government are taking to increase the number of prosecutions for hate crime.

[The Solicitor General]

As I was saying, Mr Speaker, the cross-Government hate crime action plan, published in July 2016, focuses on the reduction of hate crime, the increasing of reporting, and ensuring that all criminal justice partners deliver the appropriate outcomes for victims.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Solicitor General]

My hon. Friend raises a proper point of increasing concern. I assure him that anonymity—perceived or real—is not an escape route for perpetrators. The use of false online profiles and websites still means that people are traceable, and they can and will be pursued, just like the appalling individual who, only this week, was convicted of offences arising from a racist campaign against the hon. Member for Liverpool, Wavertree (Luciana Berger).

[Henry Smith]

I am grateful for my hon. and learned Friend’s answer. Can he say more specifically what the Government are doing to tackle hate crime against those with learning disabilities and autism?

[The Solicitor General]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising an issue that has been of consistent importance to me since my appointment to this office. I am glad to note that there has been a rise of 44% in the number of prosecutions for disability hate crime generally in the last year. When it comes to learning disabilities and autism, I am a strong supporter of local advocacy groups, which will often be the first port of call when a complaint is made by people with an impairment. The evidence shows that where the police work with these groups, more people with a learning difficulty will come forward, and I want to see this good practice spread much further.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Henry Smith and Robert Buckland

Thursday 26th November 2015 Commons Chamber

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

2. What steps the Crown Prosecution Service is taking to improve the conviction rate for hate crimes against disabled people.

[The Solicitor General (Robert Buckland)]

The Crown Prosecution Service recently revised its disability hate crime legal guidance for prosecutors. As part of its ongoing commitment to achieving meaningful improvement in disability hate crime prosecutions, it has mandated that disability hate crime training for all prosecutors should be completed by the end of the year.

[Henry Smith]

What contacts have been made between disability interest groups and governmental agencies to foster a better approach to the addressing of hate crime?

[The Solicitor General]

I am happy to tell my hon. Friend that, along with my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Disabled People and the Minister for Preventing Abuse and Exploitation, I recently set up and took part in a ministerial round table with Government agencies and the third sector to deal with precisely that issue. We gave particular attention to issues such as victim support, the quality of reporting, and confidence among members of the disability community about the way in which the criminal justice system treats them.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Henry Smith and Robert Buckland

Tuesday 13th May 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon) (Con)]

6. What steps he is taking to raise awareness of the law relating to contempt of court.

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

8. What steps he is taking to raise awareness of the law relating to contempt of court.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Henry Smith and Robert Buckland

Monday 18th June 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon) (Con)]

8. What steps he is taking to improve provision for children and young people with special educational needs.

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

10. What steps he is taking to improve provision for children and young people with special educational needs.