Asked by: Lisa Forbes (Labour - Peterborough)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 23 July 2019 to Question 277861, whether his Department has begun drafting legislative proposals to increase the maximum penalties for causing death by dangerous driving and careless driving under the influence of drink or drugs to life imprisonment and create a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving; and whether he plans to publish those proposals by October 2019.
Answered by Edward Argar - Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
We will bring forward proposals for changes in the law as soon as possible.
Asked by: Lisa Forbes (Labour - Peterborough)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans the Government has to introduce tougher sentences for people convicted of causing death by dangerous driving.
Answered by Lucy Frazer
We will bring forward proposals for changes in the law as soon as possible. These proposals will take account of other government proposals for safer roads.
Asked by: Lisa Forbes (Labour - Peterborough)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he has taken to implement his Department’s response to the consultation on driving offences and penalties relating to causing death or serious injury, published on 17 October 2017, Cm 9518.
Answered by Robert Buckland
We are focused on getting the law right, to ensure the changes we make are comprehensive, proportionate and, crucially, practical.
We will bring forward proposals for changes in the law to increase the maximum penalties for causing death by dangerous driving and careless driving under the influence of drink or drugs to life imprisonment, and create a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving as soon as possible. These proposals will take account of other government proposals for safer roads
Asked by: Lisa Forbes (Labour - Peterborough)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to (a) raise the maximum penalty for causing death by (i) dangerous driving and (ii) careless driving under the influence of drink or drugs to life imprisonment, (b) create a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving and (c) increase the minimum period of disqualification for drivers convicted of causing death by any driving offence.
Answered by Robert Buckland
We are focused on getting the law right, to ensure the changes we make are comprehensive, proportionate and, crucially, practical.
We will bring forward proposals for changes in the law to increase the maximum penalties for causing death by dangerous driving and careless driving under the influence of drink or drugs to life imprisonment, and create a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving as soon as possible. These proposals will take account of other government proposals for safer roads.
Asked by: Lisa Forbes (Labour - Peterborough)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to safeguard 16 and 17 year-olds from being groomed by adults in a position of power and influence.
Answered by Edward Argar - Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
I recognise that there are concerns about those who might abuse their position of power over a 16 or 17-year-old to pressure them into engaging in a sexual relationship. Such behaviour is very likely to be caught by the robust laws we already have in place. Any sexual activity with a child under 16 is a criminal offence, regardless of whether consent is given. Any non-consensual sexual activity is also a crime, whatever the age of the victim and whatever the relationship between the victim and perpetrator.
However, we remain absolutely committed to protecting children and young people from sexual abuse and we want to ensure that existing offences are being used effectively to tackle this behaviour, and that those working with young people understand their responsibilities and act appropriately.
My department, working closely with colleagues across government, is taking forward a review of the existing law, to check that that it is working effectively and ensuring young people are protected.