Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Kevin Hollinrake and Oliver Heald

Tuesday 6th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Kevin Hollinrake (Thirsk and Malton) (Con)]

18. What steps the Government are taking to help relatives of missing persons manage financial and other affairs on their behalf.

[The Minister for Courts and Justice (Sir Oliver Heald)]

We are preparing legislation to create the new legal status of “guardian of the property and affairs of a missing person”. We will introduce it as parliamentary time allows.

[Kevin Hollinrake]

I hope to introduce a ten-minute rule Bill on guardianship that would help relatives and friends to manage the affairs of missing people. In memory of Claudia Lawrence, my constituents’ daughter who went missing seven long years ago, will the Government offer that Bill their full support? Will they also be willing to honour her memory by referring to it, whenever possible, as Claudia’s Bill?

[Sir Oliver Heald]

That is good news, and I wish my hon. Friend well with his Bill. I understand why he wants to refer to it as Claudia’s law. I would like to extend my sympathies, as I am sure the whole House would, to Peter and Joan Lawrence. The Government will formally announce their position on Second Reading, but we are keen for this matter to be tackled.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Kevin Hollinrake and Oliver Heald

Tuesday 1st November 2016 Commons Chamber

[Sir Oliver Heald]

Yes, I do agree. The Istanbul convention, which the UK signed in June 2012, requires ratifying states to assume jurisdiction over offences of this sort when committed by our nationals overseas. But we need to make changes to primary legislation to introduce this, because the existing law applies only where the rape involves a person under 18 years of age.

[Kevin Hollinrake (Thirsk and Malton) (Con)]

Will Ministers update the House on progress with the Missing Persons Guardianship Bill? It is of great interest to my constituents Mr and Mrs Lawrence; they are the parents of Claudia, who went missing seven long years ago.

[Sir Oliver Heald]

I will write to my hon. Friend, because this is a subject on which we will be saying something shortly.