Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Mary Glindon Excerpts
Tuesday 11th February 2014

(10 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Hanson Portrait Mr David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab)
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1. How many local authorities have signed up to the information-sharing protocol for cases of child abuse launched in November 2013 by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Mary Glindon Portrait Mrs Mary Glindon (North Tyneside) (Lab)
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5. How many local authorities have signed up to the information-sharing protocol for cases of child abuse launched in November 2013 by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Oliver Heald Portrait The Solicitor-General (Oliver Heald)
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The national protocol came into force on 1 January this year. The aim is for all parties to sign a local protocol as soon as possible. The Crown Prosecution Service intends to carry out a survey of all CPS areas to monitor progress.

Oliver Heald Portrait The Solicitor-General
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It is very important that local protocols should be signed so that there is a clear, seamless process and when an investigation starts the information is shared with the other authorities. A draft protocol has now been sent to contacts in all the local authorities in the right hon. Gentleman’s area, and discussions are continuing. It is thought that it will be possible to have the protocol signed by the middle of March.

Mary Glindon Portrait Mrs Glindon
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Given that openness and information sharing are key to prosecuting these cases, what assurance can the Solicitor-General give that the Government will resist calls to introduce suspect anonymity in cases of historical child abuse and rape?