Oral Answers to Questions

John Bercow Excerpts

Tuesday 15th May 2012 Commons Chamber

[Ann Clwyd]

Although I welcome the changes made in the 2012 Act, will the hon. Gentleman consider some loopholes that might be closed? A few months ago I brought up the case in the Chamber of a constituent, an ex-miner who had been fined 28 years ago for stealing a bag of coal in the middle of the miners’ strike. He subsequently tried for a job in a care home as a groundsman. He was offered the job, but it was then withdrawn. That seems ridiculous, because the job had nothing directly to do with the people in the care home, and he had not been accused of—

[Mr Speaker]

We are extremely grateful to the right hon. Lady, but is there a question mark coming?

[Ann Clwyd]

I started with a question mark, Mr Speaker.

[Mr Speaker]

It is a good idea to finish with one!

[Ann Clwyd]

I am very pleased to finish with one, Mr Speaker. The CRB check should not apply in the case of my constituent, so will the hon. Gentleman look at the loopholes?

[Mr Vara]

I am aware of the right hon. Lady’s interest in this matter. The vast majority of occupations for which people may make applications do not require a CRB search. Only a small number require a search, and even in those cases there are three categories of CRB searches. Searches are required for the occupations that are listed in the exceptions order to the 1974 Act, which involve sensitive issues or where people are dealing with children, vulnerable adults and so on. We have that list of people to ensure risk management in employment and the protection and detection of crime.

[Mr Speaker]

I thank the hon. Gentleman; I, too, welcome him to the Dispatch Box. It is a pleasure to hear him. We need now—not on account of the hon. Gentleman’s answers, but more generally—to make somewhat brisker progress.

[Heidi Alexander (Lewisham East) (Lab)]

6. What progress he has made on reform of probation services.

--- Later in debate ---

[Anna Soubry (Broxtowe) (Con)]

I wonder whether my hon. Friend could help, as there is growing concern about the use of Twitter in the ways described, but for other criminal offences. What actions are the Government taking to make sure that people are not allowed to hide behind their own anonymity when they tweet or use the internet in this way, which is to commit a criminal offence?

[Mr Speaker]

It is most interesting to hear the hon. Lady’s thoughts, but they are relevant in this context only in relation to victims in rape cases, not more widely. That is what the question is about. We are immensely grateful for the hon. Lady’s musings, but I am not sure that they entirely pertinent to the matter under discussion.

[Anna Soubry]

I am sorry.

[Mr Vara]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

If the Minister thinks that the question is relevant, he can answer briefly.

[Mr Vara]

Briefly, I am aware that where breaches have occurred through the use of Twitter, the Communications Act 2003 has been used as a basis for taking action. My hon. Friend thus raises a good point, and I am happy to say that law enforcement is taking its course.

[Mr Speaker]

Honour is served. We are grateful.

[Dr Julian Huppert (Cambridge) (LD)]

11. What recent progress he has made in reforming the law on defamation.

--- Later in debate ---

[Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

I would not want the hon. Lady to feel marginalised or excluded. Diana R. Johnson.

[Diana Johnson]

I am very grateful, Mr. Speaker. In light of the impact that sexual assault referral centres can have on rape convictions, should sexual assault referral centres have their funding ring-fenced, both from the NHS and from the police?