Oral Answers to Questions

Philip Hollobone Excerpts

Thursday 22nd March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Tracey Crouch]

It is understandable that any host nation of a major sporting event, of which the FIFA World cup in Russia is one, likes to announce the event with a fanfare. However, the Government are working closely with the Football Association to give it all the support it needs in terms of security for the team and also guidance to the fans so that they can go to and from the World cup safely.

[Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)]

Is enough women’s sport broadcast on terrestrial TV, and if not, what can the Government do about it?

[Tracey Crouch]

There can never be enough women’s sport broadcast on TV, and I would always encourage more women’s sport to be on TV. May I take this opportunity to congratulate Manchester United football club, which has finally dragged itself into the 21st century and announced that it will have a women’s football team?

--- Later in debate ---

The Attorney General was asked—

[Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)]

1. What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the performance of the Crown Prosecution Service in Northamptonshire.

[The Solicitor General (Robert Buckland)]

The CPS in Northamptonshire excels in a number of key areas. For example, its rape conviction rate is nearly 10% above the national average. I also highlight the case of Nicholas and Joan Taylor, who were convicted of 84 offences related to child abuse committed against 11 victims over a decade. That was the subject of one of the largest investigations conducted by Northamptonshire police, resulting in life sentences with minimum terms of 18 years.

[Mr Hollobone]

Which aspects of its performance does the CPS in Northamptonshire need to improve?

[The Solicitor General]

Like any other area, CPS East Midlands is aware of the need to improve its victim communications and liaison, and its engagement with the community, to ensure that the quality of its casework improves. I do, however, commend the service for its work on hate crime, with a conviction rate of over 90%.