Asked by: Lord Lexden (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answers by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 11 October (HL Deb, cols 177–9), what are the legal constraints, if any, on Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary which prevent him undertaking a review of Operation Conifer carried out by the Wiltshire police.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
Under Section 54(2) of the Police Act 1996, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary is charged with inspecting and reporting on the efficiency and effectiveness of every police force maintained for a police area. Any reviews he carries out must be done for this purpose. In its most recent Effectiveness inspection of Wiltshire Police in 2017, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services judged the force to be “good”.
There is no provision in law which would prevent the Government from commissioning an independent inquiry into Operation Conifer but the Government would need a clear justification for doing so. As it is, Operation Conifer has already been subject to considerable external scrutiny: from its own Independent Scrutiny Panel; from Operation Hydrant (which delivers the national policing response, oversight and coordination of non-recent child sexual abuse investigations concerning persons of public prominence), and; from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary which in January 2017 considered whether the resources assigned to the investigation by the Home Office were being deployed in accordance with value for money principles.
On this basis, and given Operation Conifer is an operational matter for the local police force and it is for the locally elected Police and Crime Commissioner to hold their force to account, the Government does not consider there to be grounds for the Government to intervene to instigate an independent inquiry into Operation Conifer.
The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Wiltshire and Swindon wrote to Home Office Ministers on 17 October 2017 and 24 April 2018. A reply from the Minister for Countering Extremism was issued on the 15th December 2017. The PCC has not given the Home Office any indication that he may be prepared to reverse his decision not to conduct an inquiry into Operation Conifer.
Asked by: Lord Lexden (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, futher to the answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 12 July (HL Deb, cols 963–5), what are their reasons for not establishing an inquiry into Operation Conifer conducted by the Wiltshire Police into allegations against Sir Edward Heath.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
I recognise concerns that have been raised by Noble Lords in relation to Operation Conifer, however it is for locally-elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) to decide how best to hold their forces to account, and PCCs have the powers to commission an inquiry, should they deem it appropriate. The Government has no plans to launch an inquiry into Operation Conifer.
Asked by: Lord Lexden (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer from Baroness Williams of Trafford on 16 October (HL1670), whether they have plans to ensure improvements to police training in order to improve the manner in which allegations of child sexual abuse are investigated.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
As the professional body for policing, the College of Policing is responsible for setting national standards and guidance in this area.
The Government has provided millions of pounds of extra investment through the Police Transformation Fund to transform policing to respond to changing crimes and threats. Through this fund we have already awarded £1.9 million to the College of Policing to transform policing’s approach to crimes against vulnerable people, including child sexual abuse.
The package includes piloting a licence to practise which will ensure that only those officers who are qualified to carry out specialist investigations in high risk areas like child protection, are able to do so. This will be supported by a code of practice for CSA investigations, which will help chief officers implement supporting structures needed to ensure forces are undertaking these investigations efficiently and effectively.
Asked by: Lord Lexden (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer from Baroness Williams of Trafford on 16 October (HL1668), whether they have made representations to the Metropolitan Police and the Wiltshire Constabulary about public disquiet regarding the handling of well-publicised allegations of child sexual abuse; and if so, what replies have been received.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Government has made no representations. The police are rightly operationally independent of Government and should be free from any political interference. How an individual force handles an investigation into allegations of child sexual abuse is a matter for the relevant Chief Officer. It is for locally elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) to hold their Chief Officers to account.
Asked by: Lord Lexden (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have plans to ensure or enable the enhancement of police training in order to improve the manner in which allegations of child sexual abuse are investigated.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The police are rightly operationally independent of Government and how an individual force handles the investigation into allegations of child sexual abuse is a matter for the relevant Chief Officer.
Ministers and officials have regular discussions with the Police on a wide range of issues. Sir Richard Henriques made a number of recommendations which are for the Metropolitan Police to consider with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Police and Crime Commissioners, the College of Policing, and statutory and voluntary partners in the criminal justice system. As the professional body for policing, the College of Policing are responsible for setting national standards and guidance in this area.
The Government has provided millions of pounds of extra investment through the Police Transformation Fund to transform policing to respond to changing crimes and threats. Through this fund we have already awarded £1.9 million to the College of Policing to transform policing’s approach to crimes against vulnerable people, including child sexual abuse. The package includes piloting a license to practice which will ensure that only those officers who are qualified to carry out specialist investigations in high risk areas like child protection, are able to do so.
Asked by: Lord Lexden (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police about the implementation of the recommendations in Sir Richard Henriques’ report on the Metropolitan Police Service's handling of non-recent sexual offence investigations.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The police are rightly operationally independent of Government and how an individual force handles the investigation into allegations of child sexual abuse is a matter for the relevant Chief Officer.
Ministers and officials have regular discussions with the Police on a wide range of issues. Sir Richard Henriques made a number of recommendations which are for the Metropolitan Police to consider with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Police and Crime Commissioners, the College of Policing, and statutory and voluntary partners in the criminal justice system. As the professional body for policing, the College of Policing are responsible for setting national standards and guidance in this area.
The Government has provided millions of pounds of extra investment through the Police Transformation Fund to transform policing to respond to changing crimes and threats. Through this fund we have already awarded £1.9 million to the College of Policing to transform policing’s approach to crimes against vulnerable people, including child sexual abuse. The package includes piloting a license to practice which will ensure that only those officers who are qualified to carry out specialist investigations in high risk areas like child protection, are able to do so.
Asked by: Lord Lexden (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answers by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 13 September (HL Deb, cols 2454–7), whether they have made representations to the Metropolitan Police and the Wiltshire Constabulary about public disquiet regarding the handling of well-publicised allegations of child sexual abuse; and if so, what replies have been received.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The police are rightly operationally independent of Government and how an individual force handles the investigation into allegations of child sexual abuse is a matter for the relevant Chief Officer.
Ministers and officials have regular discussions with the Police on a wide range of issues. Sir Richard Henriques made a number of recommendations which are for the Metropolitan Police to consider with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Police and Crime Commissioners, the College of Policing, and statutory and voluntary partners in the criminal justice system. As the professional body for policing, the College of Policing are responsible for setting national standards and guidance in this area.
The Government has provided millions of pounds of extra investment through the Police Transformation Fund to transform policing to respond to changing crimes and threats. Through this fund we have already awarded £1.9 million to the College of Policing to transform policing’s approach to crimes against vulnerable people, including child sexual abuse. The package includes piloting a license to practice which will ensure that only those officers who are qualified to carry out specialist investigations in high risk areas like child protection, are able to do so.
Asked by: Lord Lexden (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 23 December 2016 (HL4133), whether the College of Policing's authorised professional practice on media relations has been published.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
College of Policing's Authorised Professional Practice (APP) on media relations was published on the College of Policing website on 15 June 2017. It can be found at this address, https://www.app.college.police.uk/app-content/engagement-and-communication/media-relations/.
Asked by: Lord Lexden (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 12 December (HL Deb, col. 1064), for how long the College of Policing's authorised professional practice on media relations has been in preparation; when it will be published; and whether a copy will be placed in the Library of the House.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The College of Policing is developing new Authorised Professional Practice (APP) guidance on media relations. Consultation on the new APP ran from May-July 2016. Responses are being analysed and the guidance is due for publication in early 2017, once it has been through the College’s approval process. A copy will be placed in the Library of the House.
Asked by: Lord Lexden (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the challenges that educational institutions face as a result of the points-based Tier 4 of the visa arrangements for overseas students.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
International students make an important contribution during their time here, and they help make our education system one of the best in the world. The UK remains the second most popular destination in the world for international higher education students and we want to continue to attract the brightest and best to study at our world-leading institutions.