Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Attorney General

Oral Answers to Questions

Bob Blackman Excerpts
Thursday 2nd July 2015

(8 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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The Attorney General was asked—
Bob Blackman Portrait Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con)
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1. What steps the CPS is taking to ensure its prosecutors will be able successfully to prosecute the criminal offence of forced marriage.

Lord Evans of Rainow Portrait Graham Evans (Weaver Vale) (Con)
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2. What steps the CPS is taking to ensure its prosecutors will be able successfully to prosecute the criminal offence of forced marriage.

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Bob Blackman Portrait Bob Blackman
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I thank my hon. and learned Friend for that answer. Clearly, we want to rid society of this scourge. Will he update the House on how many prosecutions have been brought to court and how many are in the pipeline?

Robert Buckland Portrait The Solicitor General
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From 2010, particular offences that involve forced marriage as a key element have been flagged by the CPS. I am happy to report that the volume of completed prosecutions in the last year, 2014-15, rose to 46, the highest ever. There is more work to be done, but the progress is encouraging.