Asked by: Lloyd Hatton (Labour - South Dorset)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what her planned timetable is to respond to her Department’s consultation entitled Open Justice: the way forward which closed on 7 September 2023.
Answered by Heidi Alexander - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The Ministry of Justice ran a Call for Evidence from 11 May to 7 September 2023 under the previous Government. It was the first system-wide public assessment on open justice and transparency in over ten years. The consultation received a wide volume of responses that are being carefully analysed and I am considering next steps. I would like to express my thanks to all stakeholders who contributed their views, which will inform future policy developments and priorities in this essential area.
Asked by: Lloyd Hatton (Labour - South Dorset)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to publish a new terms of reference for the Independent Advisor on Ministerial Interests; and whether this will include the power to initiate investigations.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
I refer to the answer to UIN 5293.
Asked by: Lloyd Hatton (Labour - South Dorset)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to take steps to strengthen the rules on donations to political parties.
Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer my Hon Friend to my answer to Question UIN 7510 on 15 October 2024.
Asked by: Lloyd Hatton (Labour - South Dorset)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to publish a new Ministerial Code of Conduct; and whether it will include (a) an explicit commitment to the seven Principles of Public Life, (b) an ability for the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Interests to initiate investigations into breaches of the code without needing the consent of the Prime Minister and (c) new restrictions on former ministers taking up outside employment through a deed of undertaking.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The Prime Minister intends to issue and publish an updated version of the Ministerial Code shortly, in which he will set out his expectations for the conduct of all who serve in Government as Ministers.
Asked by: Lloyd Hatton (Labour - South Dorset)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he intends to publish a deadline for the implementation public registers of beneficial ownership in the Overseas Territories per the requirements in the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundry Act.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Overseas Territories' (OTs) commitments to delivering publicly accessible registers of beneficial ownership were outlined in a Written Ministerial Statement of 18 December 2023. This month, as Minister for the OTs, I wrote to OT Governments to set out UK transparency expectations. I noted that full public accessibility remains our expectation. Access filtered to those with 'legitimate interest' should be delivered to a clear timetable, as an interim step. I also outlined a set of minimum requirements that the UK Government would expect to see in any 'legitimate interest' regime. At the UK-OT Illicit Finance Dialogue earlier this month, officials discussed OTs' progress towards their commitments and technical assistance to support implementation. I expect to continue discussions, including on ambitious deadlines for implementation, at the Joint Ministerial Council in November.
Asked by: Lloyd Hatton (Labour - South Dorset)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if the Government will raise the case of Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu with Azerbaijani officials during pre-COP 29 discussions to help secure his release from detention.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Since Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu's arrest in July 2023, the UK has consistently advocated for appropriate medical access and the right to a fair legal process, including ahead of COP29. The UK has also called on the Azerbaijani Government to protect the human rights and freedoms of all of its citizens, and we will continue to work to ensure Dr Ibadoghlu's rights are upheld.
Asked by: Lloyd Hatton (Labour - South Dorset)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help (a) recover and (b) repatriate funds linked to corruption investigations involving former members of the government of Bangladesh.
Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is committed to assisting investigative, prosecuting and judicial authorities in combating international crime. The UK has robust illicit finance legislation and instruments which can be used to support asset recovery requests. Requests require significant domestic political, as well as cooperation from law enforcement agencies and the judiciary. We stand ready to support in these recoveries to the extent that we can. We are in discussions with the International Anti-Corruption Coordination Centre hosted by the UK's National Crime Agency and the International Centre for Asset Recovery on how to support the Interim Government of Bangladesh.
Asked by: Lloyd Hatton (Labour - South Dorset)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 10 September 2024 to Question 4157 on Financial Services, if she will set a target date for making a decision on the creation of a Financial Inclusion Strategy.
Answered by Tulip Siddiq - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
Ensuring all individuals have access to the appropriate financial services and products they need is a key priority for Government and is vital to supporting people’s financial resilience and wellbeing. It is also an essential part of achieving inclusive growth and ensuring individuals are able to fully participate in the economy.
I will be providing an update on Government’s financial inclusion agenda in due course.
Asked by: Lloyd Hatton (Labour - South Dorset)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his interview with the i newspaper, published on 3 June 2024, what recent progress he has made on establishing a summit of allies and international financial centres to tackle dirty money.
Answered by Anneliese Dodds - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This government will drive a powerful agenda to tackle corruption and kleptocracy both at home and internationally. Working in partnership with international financial centres to tackle illicit finance is a priority. The FCDO is working across HMG to explore a range of options to deliver on this agenda and is actively considering different ways to increase the leadership of the UK in this area.
Asked by: Lloyd Hatton (Labour - South Dorset)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment with the Electoral Commission of the adequacy of regulations on the funding of political parties.
Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Effective regulation and enforcement of political finance are crucial for maintaining public trust in our electoral systems. The Government has frequent discussions with the Electoral Commission on this. As set out in our manifesto, we are committed to strengthening our democracy and upholding the integrity of elections. As part of this, the Government intends to strengthen the rules around donations to political parties. My department will work closely with the Electoral Commission on developing proposals to give effect to this commitment.