Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Shailesh Vara and Fiona Bruce

Thursday 14th April 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Vara]

Pregnancy and maternity discrimination are unlawful and totally unacceptable. That is why the Government and the Equality and Human Rights Commission jointly funded independent research into the matter. I assure the hon. Gentleman that the review will take into account some of the findings of that research.

[Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con)]

15. What steps the Government are taking to increase the proportion of public appointments made to women.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Shailesh Vara and Fiona Bruce

Tuesday 9th September 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Vara]

First, may I commend my hon. Friend for the diligence and conscientiousness with which he has pursued the interests of his constituents? I fully appreciate the circumstances of the courts in Gloucester and am mindful of the prison’s closure and the position of the car park. As I have said, a court reform programme was announced in March and any decisions will be taken as part of that programme.

[Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con)]

14. What progress his Department has made on increasing the provision of restorative justice programmes for offenders.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Shailesh Vara and Fiona Bruce

Tuesday 15th May 2012 Commons Chamber

[Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con)]

16. When he expects the commission on a Bill of Rights to publish its report.

[Mr Shailesh Vara (North West Cambridgeshire) (Con)]

In accordance with its published terms of reference, the commission should aim to report no later than by the end of 2012.

[Fiona Bruce]

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Will he update us on the work being undertaken by the commission?

[Mr Vara]

Last year, the Government received advice from the commission on reform of the European Court of Human Rights, which was taken into account in negotiations to agree the Brighton declaration. The commission’s website contains minutes of its meetings and details of seminars, as well as information regarding the public consultation held last year. The topics considered so far include: reform of the Strasbourg Court; possible options for a UK Bill of Rights; parliamentary sovereignty; and issues relating to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Government look forward to receiving the commission’s final report by the end of this year.