To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.


Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Written Question
Treasure Act 1996
Tuesday 19th December 2017

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 cases under the Treasure Act 1996 have been reported in the last year in which it has been claimed by finders that the items discovered date to before commencement of that Act; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by Phillip Lee

Inquests into finds of precious metal made before the Treasure Act 1996 came into force on 24 September 1997 are heard as treasure trove inquests under the common law and not under the 1996 Act. There were two such inquests in 2016.


Written Question
Care Proceedings
Wednesday 2nd November 2016

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 care cases there have been in the English Family Courts in each of the last 10 years; and if she will make a statement.

Answered by Phillip Lee

The table below shows the number of children involved in care applications in England, from 2011 – 2015, the latest year for which full data is available. Data on the number of care applications prior to 2011 is not held.

Year

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Total

19, 035

19,185

18,283

18,630

11,813


Written Question
Offences against Children: Prosecutions
Friday 11th March 2016

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 cases of child abuse flagged by sexual offences have led to prosecutions in each police force area in each of the last three years.

Answered by Mike Penning

The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates’ courts and found guilty at all courts of child sexual abuse offences, by police force area in England and Wales, from 2012 to 2014, can be viewed in the table at Annex A.

Annex A

Defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts of child sexual abuse offences (1), England and Wales, 2012 to 2014 (2)(3)

Police Force Area

Outcome

2012

2013

2014

London(4)

Proceeded against

483

538

513

Found guilty

212

207

226

Cumbria

Proceeded against

31

36

48

Found guilty

18

19

33

Lancashire

Proceeded against

163

205

173

Found guilty

98

97

89

Merseyside

Proceeded against

75

88

134

Found guilty

49

45

58

Greater Manchester

Proceeded against

246

346

298

Found guilty

168

146

146

Cheshire

Proceeded against

71

88

85

Found guilty

47

47

44

Northumbria

Proceeded against

114

144

141

Found guilty

80

51

74

Durham

Proceeded against

53

61

69

Found guilty

28

29

27

North Yorkshire

Proceeded against

50

74

88

Found guilty

24

29

44

West Yorkshire

Proceeded against

135

193

306

Found guilty

94

107

139

South Yorkshire

Proceeded against

80

113

131

Found guilty

33

49

66

Humberside

Proceeded against

100

109

121

Found guilty

62

57

61

Cleveland

Proceeded against

64

68

55

Found guilty

28

27

27

West Midlands

Proceeded against

188

202

262

Found guilty

105

104

96

Staffordshire

Proceeded against

62

92

88

Found guilty

36

45

46

West Mercia

Proceeded against

87

115

158

Found guilty

59

57

69

Warwickshire

Proceeded against

31

33

54

Found guilty

25

20

25

Derbyshire

Proceeded against

81

66

86

Found guilty

48

38

46

Nottinghamshire

Proceeded against

71

46

78

Found guilty

39

37

37

Lincolnshire

Proceeded against

42

54

49

Found guilty

30

30

26

Leicestershire

Proceeded against

64

84

86

Found guilty

35

43

36

Northamptonshire

Proceeded against

43

56

70

Found guilty

31

30

32

Cambridgeshire

Proceeded against

42

69

60

Found guilty

26

38

37

Norfolk

Proceeded against

50

69

87

Found guilty

41

43

36

Suffolk

Proceeded against

39

42

52

Found guilty

27

28

28

Bedfordshire

Proceeded against

25

34

33

Found guilty

13

9

20

Hertfordshire

Proceeded against

57

59

71

Found guilty

40

33

41

Essex

Proceeded against

55

91

123

Found guilty

40

37

59

Thames Valley

Proceeded against

130

184

230

Found guilty

79

62

124

Hampshire

Proceeded against

169

171

152

Found guilty

82

78

61

Surrey

Proceeded against

56

81

59

Found guilty

30

39

29

Kent

Proceeded against

121

115

155

Found guilty

65

68

68

Sussex

Proceeded against

117

127

122

Found guilty

50

42

68

Devon and Cornwall

Proceeded against

98

94

131

Found guilty

58

61

64

Avon and Somerset

Proceeded against

112

139

137

Found guilty

68

63

68

Gloucestershire

Proceeded against

26

31

29

Found guilty

21

25

20

Wiltshire

Proceeded against

62

68

61

Found guilty

32

27

45

Dorset

Proceeded against

37

47

44

Found guilty

22

19

20

North Wales

Proceeded against

62

95

81

Found guilty

30

54

42

Gwent

Proceeded against

61

60

45

Found guilty

34

21

32

South Wales

Proceeded against

100

134

123

Found guilty

46

62

56

Dyfed-Powys

Proceeded against

32

36

52

Found guilty

22

19

23

England and Wales

Proceeded against

3,785

4,557

4,940

Found guilty

2,175

2,142

2,388

(1) Offences under SS1, 5 - 12, 15-19, 30 -41, 47-50 Sexual Offences Act 2003

(2) The figures given in the table relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.

(3) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

(4) London includes both the Metropolitan and City of London Police force areas. No results were returned from City of London Police Force area from 1 January 2012 onwards, as City of London Local Justice area was merged into other reporting areas.

Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice.

Ref: PQ 30375 & 30376


Written Question
Offences against Children: Convictions
Friday 11th March 2016

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 cases of child abuse flagged by sexual offences have led to convictions in each police force area in each of the last three years.

Answered by Mike Penning

The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates’ courts and found guilty at all courts of child sexual abuse offences, by police force area in England and Wales, from 2012 to 2014, can be viewed in the table at Annex A.

Annex A

Defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts of child sexual abuse offences (1), England and Wales, 2012 to 2014 (2)(3)

Police Force Area

Outcome

2012

2013

2014

London(4)

Proceeded against

483

538

513

Found guilty

212

207

226

Cumbria

Proceeded against

31

36

48

Found guilty

18

19

33

Lancashire

Proceeded against

163

205

173

Found guilty

98

97

89

Merseyside

Proceeded against

75

88

134

Found guilty

49

45

58

Greater Manchester

Proceeded against

246

346

298

Found guilty

168

146

146

Cheshire

Proceeded against

71

88

85

Found guilty

47

47

44

Northumbria

Proceeded against

114

144

141

Found guilty

80

51

74

Durham

Proceeded against

53

61

69

Found guilty

28

29

27

North Yorkshire

Proceeded against

50

74

88

Found guilty

24

29

44

West Yorkshire

Proceeded against

135

193

306

Found guilty

94

107

139

South Yorkshire

Proceeded against

80

113

131

Found guilty

33

49

66

Humberside

Proceeded against

100

109

121

Found guilty

62

57

61

Cleveland

Proceeded against

64

68

55

Found guilty

28

27

27

West Midlands

Proceeded against

188

202

262

Found guilty

105

104

96

Staffordshire

Proceeded against

62

92

88

Found guilty

36

45

46

West Mercia

Proceeded against

87

115

158

Found guilty

59

57

69

Warwickshire

Proceeded against

31

33

54

Found guilty

25

20

25

Derbyshire

Proceeded against

81

66

86

Found guilty

48

38

46

Nottinghamshire

Proceeded against

71

46

78

Found guilty

39

37

37

Lincolnshire

Proceeded against

42

54

49

Found guilty

30

30

26

Leicestershire

Proceeded against

64

84

86

Found guilty

35

43

36

Northamptonshire

Proceeded against

43

56

70

Found guilty

31

30

32

Cambridgeshire

Proceeded against

42

69

60

Found guilty

26

38

37

Norfolk

Proceeded against

50

69

87

Found guilty

41

43

36

Suffolk

Proceeded against

39

42

52

Found guilty

27

28

28

Bedfordshire

Proceeded against

25

34

33

Found guilty

13

9

20

Hertfordshire

Proceeded against

57

59

71

Found guilty

40

33

41

Essex

Proceeded against

55

91

123

Found guilty

40

37

59

Thames Valley

Proceeded against

130

184

230

Found guilty

79

62

124

Hampshire

Proceeded against

169

171

152

Found guilty

82

78

61

Surrey

Proceeded against

56

81

59

Found guilty

30

39

29

Kent

Proceeded against

121

115

155

Found guilty

65

68

68

Sussex

Proceeded against

117

127

122

Found guilty

50

42

68

Devon and Cornwall

Proceeded against

98

94

131

Found guilty

58

61

64

Avon and Somerset

Proceeded against

112

139

137

Found guilty

68

63

68

Gloucestershire

Proceeded against

26

31

29

Found guilty

21

25

20

Wiltshire

Proceeded against

62

68

61

Found guilty

32

27

45

Dorset

Proceeded against

37

47

44

Found guilty

22

19

20

North Wales

Proceeded against

62

95

81

Found guilty

30

54

42

Gwent

Proceeded against

61

60

45

Found guilty

34

21

32

South Wales

Proceeded against

100

134

123

Found guilty

46

62

56

Dyfed-Powys

Proceeded against

32

36

52

Found guilty

22

19

23

England and Wales

Proceeded against

3,785

4,557

4,940

Found guilty

2,175

2,142

2,388

(1) Offences under SS1, 5 - 12, 15-19, 30 -41, 47-50 Sexual Offences Act 2003

(2) The figures given in the table relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.

(3) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

(4) London includes both the Metropolitan and City of London Police force areas. No results were returned from City of London Police Force area from 1 January 2012 onwards, as City of London Local Justice area was merged into other reporting areas.

Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice.

Ref: PQ 30375 & 30376


Written Question
Ministry of Justice: UK Membership of EU
Friday 15th January 2016

Asked by: Tim Loughton (Conservative - East Worthing and Shoreham)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what contingency arrangements his Department has made for the eventuality of a majority leave vote in the upcoming EU referendum.

Answered by Dominic Raab

The Government is fighting hard to fix the aspects of the UK’s EU membership that cause so much frustration in Britain in order to get a better deal for Britain and secure our future. The Government is confident that the right agreement can be reached.


Written Question
Prisons: Unmanned Air Vehicles
Tuesday 5th January 2016

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 incidents his Department has recorded of drones operating over prison estates in the last year for which figures are available; what steps his Department took following each such incident; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by Andrew Selous - Second Church Estates Commissioner

If an incident involving a drone occurs, prisons will invoke appropriate contingency plans and will work alongside the police and CPS to ensure those responsible are caught. NOMS are exploring research options with the Home Office Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) on detection and mitigation technology for drones.


There were 30 reported drone related incidents between 1 December 2014 and 30 November 2015. This includes drone finds and drone sightings by prison staff in and around public and private prisons in England and Wales.


Individual prisons will invoke the appropriate contingency plan relevant to the circumstances of the incident involving a drone. This includes, for example, working with the police and CPS to ensure those responsible for an incident involving a drone are caught and, if appropriate, prosecuted.


These figures have been drawn from live administrative data systems. Care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, but the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.


Written Question
Members: Correspondence
Monday 7th September 2015

Asked by: Tim Loughton (Conservative - East Worthing and Shoreham)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when he plans to respond to the email sent by the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham on 13 May regarding the case of a constituent receiving inadequate support and provision on leaving jail, and the follow-up email sent in 17 June.

Answered by Andrew Selous - Second Church Estates Commissioner

I responded to the Hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham on 8 June.


Written Question
Travellers: Caravan Sites
Tuesday 13th January 2015

Asked by: Tim Loughton (Conservative - East Worthing and Shoreham)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will assess the potential merits of the appointment of specialist magistrates able to sit at short notice and out-of-hours to expedite eviction orders against illegal Traveller encampments.

Answered by Shailesh Vara

It is felt that the current legal framework, including the new powers devolved to local authorities, is sufficient to deal with the problem of illegal traveller encampments.

I will, however, keep the situation under review, and my officials will ensure that I am kept informed of any developments.


Written Question
Child Rearing
Thursday 18th December 2014

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 effects of Parental Alienation Syndrome on families; and what plans he has to issue guidance or being forward legislative proposals to deal with those effects.

Answered by Simon Hughes

The family courts consider the facts of each case with the welfare of the child as paramount. Parental Alienation Syndrome is not recognised as a 'syndrome' by many professionals in this country. The courts do, however, recognise that some resident parents are responsible for alienating their children from non-resident parents and can take this into account when considering their decisions.


Written Question
Child Rearing
Thursday 18th December 2014

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 effects of Parental Alienation Syndrome on family breakdowns; and what plans he has to issue guidance or bring forward legislative proposals to deal with that syndrome and its effects.

Answered by Simon Hughes

The family courts consider the facts of each case with the welfare of the child as paramount. Parental Alienation Syndrome is not recognised as a 'syndrome' by many professionals in this country. The courts do, however, recognise that some resident parents are responsible for alienating their children from non-resident parents and can take this into account when considering their decisions.