Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Rehman Chishti and Helen Grant

Thursday 1st May 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mrs Grant]

The hon. Lady makes a good point. Women’s sport is one of my priorities, and visibility and coverage of women is key to so many things, including sponsorship. We have had a number of meetings with the media and print magazines. Sky and the BBC have certainly upped their game since the 2012 Olympics, through more coverage and dedicated sports programmes focusing on women. Female individuals such as Clare Balding and Barbara Slater are an important part of that process.

[Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con)]

3. What steps he is taking to ensure that the contribution of people from black and minority ethnic communities in the first world war is appropriately commemorated.

Justice

Debate between Rehman Chishti and Helen Grant

Monday 20th May 2013 Ministerial Corrections

[Rehman Chishti]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the victim surcharge.

[Official Report, 26 March 2013, Vol. 560, c. 1106W.]

Letter of correction from Mrs Grant:

An error has been identified in the written answer given to the hon. Member for Gillingham and Rainham (Rehman Chishti) on 26 March 2013.

The full answer given was as follows:

[Mrs Grant]

Since its introduction in 2007, the victim surcharge has raised £41.2 million, which has funded vital services for victims and witnesses of crime. The reforms to increase and extend the surcharge, introduced by this Government, will see more offenders take responsibility for the harm they have caused. They will contribute up to an additional £50 million per year towards the cost of victims' services.

The correct answer should have been:

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Rehman Chishti and Helen Grant

Tuesday 19th March 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mrs Grant]

The Government are absolutely committed to looking after victims and witnesses of crime. As the right hon. Gentleman knows, we currently spend £66 million on victim services. Not content with that, we want to raise even more money for victims—up to £50 million—through the victims’ surcharge. We are also raising money through the Prisoners’ Earnings Act 1996, giving victims a louder voice through the appointment of Baroness Newlove as victims’ commissioner and clarifying victims’ entitlements through reform of the victims’ code, on which we will consult in due course.

[Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con)]

On the victim surcharge, what is being done to ensure that all the fines are being collected so that they can be used to support victims?

[Mrs Grant]

The victims surcharge is potentially a large amount of money that will be raised for victims and witnesses. As Minister with responsibility for courts as well as for victims, I assure my hon. Friend that Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service will continue to prioritise collection of financial penalties, including the surcharge.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Rehman Chishti and Helen Grant

Tuesday 5th February 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mrs Grant]

I fully understand and sympathise greatly with what the hon. Lady has said, and I agree with her that concerns can affect a witness’s willingness to participate in the criminal justice system. That is why the Ministry of Justice is embarking on a strategy to improve efficiency and the effectiveness of the system. That work will look at the entire process, from offence to completion of the case. I have recently written to her about a case in her constituency. I hope she has received that letter and I am happy to meet her to provide further reassurance.

[Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con)]

Does the Minister agree that the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 provides the right special measures to support vulnerable and intimidated witnesses so that they can give the best evidence possible?

[Mrs Grant]

My hon. Friend makes a good point. I would also add that the special procedure measures that are now available in the form of pre-trial familiarisation visits, support from the witness service, separate entrances, exits and waiting areas, and access to a live link can help to reduce the stress and anxiety of going to court. We are considering what more we can do to improve support, including using new technology to change how evidence is given.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Rehman Chishti and Helen Grant

Tuesday 13th November 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mrs Grant]

It will be 27 November this year.

[Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con)]

Does the Minister have an assessment of how curfew orders have been working since their hours and length were increased last year?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Rehman Chishti and Helen Grant

Tuesday 18th September 2012 Commons Chamber

[Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con)]

T2. What steps are the Government taking to ensure that those who sit on jury service are not in the country illegally? That point was raised with me by a member of the judiciary.

[Mrs Grant]

My hon. Friend makes a very good point. The Crown court carries out checks on jurors on their first day. Passports, national identity cards or Home Office documentation confirming their immigration status must be produced.