Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Attorney General

Oral Answers to Questions

Karen Lumley Excerpts
Thursday 15th October 2015

(9 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. The hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull East (Karl Turner) is something of a veteran at chuntering from a sedentary position in evident disapproval of the thrust of the Government Front-Bench team’s position, but he will have his opportunity, on his feet, in due course.

Karen Lumley Portrait Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con)
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4. What steps the Crown Prosecution Service has taken to improve the conviction rate for rape and domestic violence in the last two years.

Karl McCartney Portrait Karl MᶜCartney (Lincoln) (Con)
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8. What steps the Crown Prosecution Service has taken to improve the conviction rate for rape and domestic violence in the last two years.

Robert Buckland Portrait The Solicitor General (Robert Buckland)
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This year, more cases of violence against women and girls have been referred from the police, charged, prosecuted and convicted than ever before. The work undertaken by the Crown Prosecution Service and the police on rape and domestic abuse culminated in the highest volumes ever of prosecutions and convictions in 2014-15.

Karen Lumley Portrait Karen Lumley
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In the West Mercia region, in which my constituency is located, we have seen the rape crisis go up this year to 700 from 400 cases. Can my hon. and learned Friend assure me that we are doing everything we can to make sure that these people are prosecuted?

Robert Buckland Portrait The Solicitor General
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CPS West Midlands has a specialist rape and serious sexual offences unit in recognition of the increasing volume of rape and serious sexual offences reported. CPS West Midlands has increased the size of the unit and the team continues to work very closely with the police, victims groups and the independent Bar to ensure that strong cases are built and witnesses looked after.