Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Shailesh Vara and Kevin Foster

Monday 14th March 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Vara]

Between 2009 and 2010, over 5 million notices were sent to people, according to the records held by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. I would point out to the hon. Lady that, in 2012, only 6% of women within 10 years of state pension age thought that their state pension age would be at age 60.

[Kevin Foster (Torbay) (Con)]

Given the rhetoric in the recent Opposition day debate about the state pension age changes, does the Minister share my surprise that the six options put forward by the shadow Secretary of State would not make much difference at all to many women born in the 1950s? Does he agree that it is time for the Opposition to be clear about the choices they would make and how they would pay for them, and also to be clear about the changes they would not make?

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I know that the Minister will want to focus exclusively, and doubtless with loving care, on his own policy, and will not dilate on that of the Opposition, which would be disorderly. Knowing the hon. Gentleman, I do not think he does disorderly.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Shailesh Vara and Kevin Foster

Tuesday 8th March 2016 Commons Chamber

[Kevin Foster (Torbay) (Con)]

11. What assessment he has made of the potential merits of using other venues in Torbay for magistrates court hearings after the closure of Torquay magistrates court.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Mr Shailesh Vara)]

My officials are engaging with the local authority and will evaluate the suitability of any proposed venue. The majority of the work, however, will transfer to Newton Abbot, seven miles away. In addition, video link facilities are available in Newton Abbot for any victims or witnesses who are unable to attend court where cases are listed in Plymouth.

[Kevin Foster]

As my hon. Friend the Minister will be aware, there is disappointment in Torbay that justice may no longer be local after the closure of our magistrates court. Will he look again at options for holding some criminal cases at the town hall and county court buildings in Torquay?

[Mr Vara]

My hon. Friend will be aware that we have had a lengthy and thorough consultation, where there were more than 2,000 responses. We have had to make some difficult decisions. I am afraid that Torquay magistrates court is in a poor condition, with inadequate facilities, and the majority of work will be transferred to Newton Abbot, seven miles away. We are, however, evaluating options to continue to provide access to services locally. My officials in the region have written to the council inviting alternative solutions for the provision of services.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Shailesh Vara and Kevin Foster

Tuesday 26th January 2016 Commons Chamber

[Kevin Foster]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I greatly appreciate that.

The Minister will be aware of the strength of representations from Torbay about the proposal to close Torquay magistrates court. What progress is being made in the consideration of that proposal, and in the making of a decision to keep justice local in the bay?

[Mr Vara]

I hear my hon. Friend’s message loud and clear. We have met and corresponded, and I am giving serious consideration to all that has been said about the court in his constituency.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Shailesh Vara and Kevin Foster

Tuesday 8th December 2015 Commons Chamber

[Kevin Foster (Torbay) (Con)]

1. What recent progress his Department has made on consulting on the future of Torquay magistrates court.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Mr Shailesh Vara)]

The Courts and Tribunals Service is evaluating all responses to the consultation, and no decisions have been made. An announcement on the future of Torquay magistrates court will be made in due course.

[Kevin Foster]

I thank the Minister for his answer. At the end of this month, a successful turnaround integrated offender management team that is based at the court building is due to be evicted. Can he confirm that this is not a sign that the decision has already been taken, and that the Government are still considering options to keep justice local in the bay?

[Mr Vara]

May I first thank my hon. Friend for the submission that he made to the consultation? I am also grateful to him for raising this point so that I can clarify the issue. I can confirm that no decisions have been taken. Moreover, the arrangement for the turnaround IOM team to use the building was always due to come to an end this month. I understand that alternative arrangements have been made for it to continue to provide its very valuable services locally.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Shailesh Vara and Kevin Foster

Monday 7th December 2015 Commons Chamber

[Kevin Foster (Torbay) (Con)]

In relation to this trial, has the Minister noticed today’s report in the Western Morning News, which says that food bank usage has dropped by 25% in Devon and Cornwall? Does he agree with the Trussell Trust that that is

“a sign that economic recovery is giving more people access to secure work”?

[Mr Vara]

It is always good to have external endorsement of what the Government are doing. That is just clear evidence that the Government’s long-term plan is working.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Shailesh Vara and Kevin Foster

Monday 2nd November 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Vara]

I refer to my previous answer.

[Kevin Foster (Torbay) (Con)]

As it is one of the best places in the UK to retire, many people in Torbay welcome the freedoms that are being created, but they do need to be protected from scams, as has been mentioned. What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that pensioners can access the advice they need before making a crucial decision about their future?

[Mr Vara]

Pension Wise is there to give impartial and free advice. When necessary, it will direct people towards professional advisers. The Money Advice Service has on its books a directory of some 2,300 firms throughout the country. In Scotland, there are 162 firms. The total number of advisers is more than 6,000. We are trying to make sure that the public have proper access whenever advice is required.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Shailesh Vara and Kevin Foster

Tuesday 8th September 2015 Commons Chamber

[Kevin Foster (Torbay) (Con)]

3. What assessment he has made of the effect of the closure of Torquay magistrates court on witnesses and other court users.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Mr Shailesh Vara)]

No decision has been taken to close Torquay magistrates court. A full assessment of the potential impact will be made once the consultation closes and responses have been properly analysed.

[Kevin Foster]

I thank the Minister for that answer. In Torbay there are real concerns that the closure of the court could see an end to justice locally, with victims and witnesses having to travel long distances for cases. Is he willing to consider options that would help retain some local justice within Devon’s second largest urban area?

[Mr Vara]

My hon. Friend and I have spoken about this, and I commend his diligence in campaigning for his constituents. If there are other options, such as using other civic buildings—town halls and the like—I am very keen to consider them, so I hope that he will contribute to the consultation.