Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and Suella Braverman

Tuesday 25th April 2017 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

What we are doing about it is investing £1 billion in modernising our courts, bringing more cases online and improving the physical facilities, including all aspects of the way in which our courts operate. I launched a joint statement with the judiciary late last year about precisely that.

[Suella Fernandes (Fareham) (Con)]

T8. I recently visited Dickson House, an approved premises in Fareham that provides support and accommodation to ex-offenders as they transition to life outside prison. Will the Minister join me in paying tribute to the team at Dickson House, and explain what more support is available to ensure that ex-offenders secure housing so that they do not fall into homelessness and, thereafter, criminality?

HMP Birmingham

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and Suella Braverman

Monday 19th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

I have discussed with the head of the Prison Service the two specific incidents at Hull, which were dealt with. The issue is being dealt with across the board.

[Suella Fernandes (Fareham) (Con)]

I welcome the Government’s commitment to closing old Victorian prisons that are now no longer fit for purpose and to investing unprecedented amounts of money to build new prisons. When will the Secretary of State be in a position to update us on which prisons will close and which new prisons will open?

[Elizabeth Truss]

We have a £1.3 billion building programme. The first prison, which will open in February next year, is HMP Berwyn. It will bring an additional 2,100 places, which will help to reduce overcrowding across the estate.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and Suella Braverman

Tuesday 6th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

I shall be happy to look into the case with the hon. Lady.

[Suella Fernandes (Fareham) (Con)]

On her first day in office, the Prime Minister said:

“If you are black you are treated more harshly by the criminal justice system than if you are white.”

I am pleased to be working with the right hon. Member for Tottenham (Mr Lammy) on a review of the treatment of, and outcomes for, black, Asian and minority ethnic individuals in the criminal justice system. What steps will the Secretary of State take to act on the emerging findings, which show that, in respect of arrests and charging, such people are disproportionately affected?

[Elizabeth Truss]

I am delighted that my hon. Friend has joined that review, to which I am sure that she will make a major contribution. Clearly there are issues throughout the criminal justice system that we need to examine, but I am certainly keen to see more diversity throughout our legal services industry and our judiciary, and we are working very hard on that.