Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Julian Smith and Mike Penning(10 years ago)
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Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con)
8. What steps he has taken to ensure local access to the justice system.
The Minister for Policing, Criminal Justice and Victims (Mike Penning)
We keep the courts estate under review to ensure it meets operational needs and our aim to improve effective delivery of the justice system across our country.
Julian Smith
Skipton magistrates court is key to providing local access to the justice system for one of the most rural parts of our country. Will the Minister confirm that he will do everything he can to ensure that that court is kept busy and stays open?
Mike Penning
As the Police Minister, I am sure some of my colleagues in the police force will be doing exactly that. I do not think there has been a better advocate for a constituency magistrates court than my hon. Friend. Every time he opens his mouth in conversation with me or my colleagues in the Tea Room, he talks about Skipton magistrates court. I would do exactly the same if I was in his position.
Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Julian Smith and Mike Penning(12 years, 11 months ago)
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Mike Penning
That is very difficult to do because no British-flagged ship under armed guard has been taken by pirates, who have attempted to do so but have not succeeded. That is an indication of why it was right and proper for us to move forward on this. There has recently been a decline in attacks. That is partly to do with the excellent work that NATO and our European colleagues are doing with the Royal Navy, partly to do with armed guards, and partly to do with best practice; a lot of it is to do with the weather, as well. We keep a very close eye on this, because it has a significant effect on our shipping as well as on the shipping of other European Union member states.
Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con)
4. When she expects to publish the findings of her Department’s review of brown tourist signs.