Asked by: Tim Loughton (Conservative - East Worthing and Shoreham)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many referrals from Independent Reviewing Officers to CAFCASS on behalf of children in care have resulted in legal action in each of the last 10 years.
Answered by Wendy Morton
No referrals from Independent Reviewing Officers (IROs) to Cafcass on behalf of children in care have resulted in legal proceedings in the last 10 years.
20 referrals were made to Cafcass by IROs during the period in question. Cafcass responds to every referral and appoints a Cafcass officer (often the previous guardian) to provide an independent assessment of the child’s circumstances. Cafcass seeks in-house legal advice for each referral which will recommend whether legal action should be commenced in order to protect the child’s interests.
In all cases, Cafcass enters into negotiation with the local authority to try to resolve any dispute by negotiation or mediation to achieve the best outcome for the child and most referrals are resolved by agreement. Cafcass takes every step possible to ensure a child's human rights are effectively protected and would not hesitate to take court action when there is no other effective way to achieve a positive outcome for the child.
Asked by: Tim Loughton (Conservative - East Worthing and Shoreham)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether existing enforcement orders against companies registered in EU countries will be enforceable; how UK citizens will be able to enforce judgements against EU registered entities that relied on EEOs; and what assessment he has made of the effect of the rights of audience in the EU by solicitors registered in England and Wales in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
Answered by Lucy Frazer - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Should the United Kingdom leave the European Union without a deal, the European Enforcement Order (EEO) Regulation will no longer apply: they will be subject to the domestic rules of the country in which they are to be enforced. There are, however, transitional provisions for certain cases ongoing at Brexit that ensure EEOs from EU member states can be enforced in the UK (see SI 2018/1311). Whether EEOs originating in the UK before Brexit will be enforced in an EU member state will be subject to the rules of that member state.
With respect to rights of audience of solicitors registered in England and Wales, these will be subject to the domestic regulations of each EU member state and the individual rules of EU courts and institutions.
Asked by: Tim Loughton (Conservative - East Worthing and Shoreham)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what criteria was used to appoint the members of the Family Justice panel; and what gender balance requirements were applied.
Answered by Paul Maynard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The members of the panel established to gather evidence on the protections provided by the family courts in cases involving domestic abuse and other serious offences were appointed for their expertise on the issue. The panel includes pre-eminent academics; senior judiciary; Women’s Aid to represent victims; the Chief Social Worker and the Association of Children’s Lawyers to represent practitioners. The panel will launch a public call for evidence open to all individuals and organisations, and is considering other mechanisms for gathering the full range of views on the issues.
Asked by: Tim Loughton (Conservative - East Worthing and Shoreham)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to extend the position of trust law to sports coaches and youth justice workers with positions of influence over children.
Answered by Lucy Frazer - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Any sexual activity with a child under 16 is a criminal offence, regardless of whether consent is given. Any non-consensual sexual activity is also a crime, whatever the age of the victim and whatever the relationship between the victim and perpetrator.
I recognise that there are concerns about those who might abuse their position of power over a 16 or 17-year-old to pressure them into engaging in a sexual relationship. Such behaviour is very likely to be caught by the robust laws we already have in place,
However, we remain absolutely committed to protecting children and young people from sexual abuse and we want to ensure that existing offences are being used effectively to tackle this behaviour, and that those working with young people understand their responsibilities and act appropriately.
My department, working closely with colleagues across government, is taking forward a review of the existing law, to check that that it is working effectively and ensuring young people are protected.
Asked by: Tim Loughton (Conservative - East Worthing and Shoreham)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the efficacy of the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Community Rehabilitation Company; and what plans he has to renew that company's contract.
Answered by Rory Stewart
On 27 July 2018 the Government announced its intention to end all current Community Rehabilitation Company contracts in 2020 and, following a consultation exercise and engagement with potential providers, introduce more effective delivery arrangements. The proposals set out in the consultation include a realignment of contract areas in England, to enable better partnership working with local partners such as local authorities and Police and Crime Commissioners. The consultation closes on 21 September and plans for future arrangements will be announced in due course.
Kent Surrey and Sussex Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC) continue to perform well against the service levels within the contract.
Robust assurance of CRC performance is provided through operational contract management backed up by regular Operational Assurance audits, and Internal Audit activity as required. There is regular monitoring of service delivery, including a focus on validating published performance management information. CRC performance information showing services levels against a range of measures is released quarterly as part of the Community Performance Quarterly Management Information.
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/community-performance-quarterly-mi-update-to-march-2018
Asked by: Tim Loughton (Conservative - East Worthing and Shoreham)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the outcome is of recent discussions on bringing forward legislative proposals on a no body, no parole law.
Answered by Rory Stewart
Discussions are ongoing but the Government is committed to pursuing an effective response to the ‘Helen’s Law’ or ‘No Body, No Parole’ campaign. We are currently considering practical and lawful ways to encourage offenders to provide information on the whereabouts of their victims’ remains, either at the point of sentencing or when release is considered by the Parole Board.
Asked by: Tim Loughton (Conservative - East Worthing and Shoreham)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the (a) membership is of and (b) chairing arrangements are for the Family Justice Board.
Answered by Lucy Frazer - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
The Board is jointly chaired by myself and my counterpart at the Department for Education, the honourable member for Stratford-on-Avon. Its members are senior stakeholders from across the family justice system.
The current membership and more information about its role can be found at the link below. https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/family-justice-board#membership
The table below contains the dates of the Family Justice Board meetings held from inception when it was independently chaired by Sir David Norgrove.
FJB1 | 29/03/12 | FJB12 | 08/04/14 |
FJB2 | 09/05/12 | FJB13 | 12/06/14 |
FJB3 | 08/08/12 | FJB14 | 02/10/14 |
FJB4 | 14/11/12 | FJB15 | 19/12/14 |
FJB5 | 21/01/13 | FJB16 | 30/03/15 |
FJB6 | 11/03/13 | FJB17 | 07/07/15 |
FJB7 | 30/04/13 | FJB18 | 29/09/15 |
FJB8 | 25/06/13 | FJB19 | 15/12/15 |
FJB9 | 14/10/13 | FJB20 | 23/03/16 |
FJB10 | 16/12/13 | FJB21 | 27/06/16 |
FJB11 | 13/02/14 |
|
|
The table below contains the dates of the Family Justice Board since the Board has been chaired jointly by Ministers.
FJB1 | 07/11/16 |
FJB2 | 08/03/17 |
FJB3 | 06/06/18 |
We will arrange to publish the minutes in due course at the weblink above.
Asked by: Tim Loughton (Conservative - East Worthing and Shoreham)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, on what dates the Family Justice Board has met since its inception; and if he will publish the minutes of those meetings.
Answered by Lucy Frazer - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
The Board is jointly chaired by myself and my counterpart at the Department for Education, the honourable member for Stratford-on-Avon. Its members are senior stakeholders from across the family justice system.
The current membership and more information about its role can be found at the link below. https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/family-justice-board#membership
The table below contains the dates of the Family Justice Board meetings held from inception when it was independently chaired by Sir David Norgrove.
FJB1 | 29/03/12 | FJB12 | 08/04/14 |
FJB2 | 09/05/12 | FJB13 | 12/06/14 |
FJB3 | 08/08/12 | FJB14 | 02/10/14 |
FJB4 | 14/11/12 | FJB15 | 19/12/14 |
FJB5 | 21/01/13 | FJB16 | 30/03/15 |
FJB6 | 11/03/13 | FJB17 | 07/07/15 |
FJB7 | 30/04/13 | FJB18 | 29/09/15 |
FJB8 | 25/06/13 | FJB19 | 15/12/15 |
FJB9 | 14/10/13 | FJB20 | 23/03/16 |
FJB10 | 16/12/13 | FJB21 | 27/06/16 |
FJB11 | 13/02/14 |
|
|
The table below contains the dates of the Family Justice Board since the Board has been chaired jointly by Ministers.
FJB1 | 07/11/16 |
FJB2 | 08/03/17 |
FJB3 | 06/06/18 |
We will arrange to publish the minutes in due course at the weblink above.
Asked by: Tim Loughton (Conservative - East Worthing and Shoreham)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he plans to review the scope of individuals covered by the position of trust terms of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 to include (a) youth workers, (b) sports coaches and (c) ministers of religion.
Answered by Lucy Frazer - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
The protection of children remains a priority for this Government.
My officials are currently considering proposals being developed by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to extend the definition of a ‘position of trust’ in the Sexual Offences Act 2003 to include “sports coaches”.
We currently have no plans to extend the definitions to include youth workers or ministers of religion, but we keep this important area of the law under regular review.
Asked by: Tim Loughton (Conservative - East Worthing and Shoreham)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he plans to review the scope of individuals covered by the position of trust terms of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 to include (a) youth workers, (b) sports coaches and (c) ministers of religion.
Answered by Lucy Frazer - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
The protection of children remains a priority for this Government.
My officials are currently considering proposals being developed by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to extend the definition of a ‘position of trust’ in the Sexual Offences Act 2003 to include “sports coaches”.
We currently have no plans to extend the definitions to include youth workers or ministers of religion, but we keep this important area of the law under regular review.