Asked by: Michael Fabricant (Conservative - Lichfield)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policies of the magistrate's reasons for the acquittal of Iola Davies and Jasmine Murphy for obstructing the entrance to UAV Engines Ltd in Shenstone on 9 September 2022.
Answered by Mike Freer
It would be inappropriate to comment on individual cases and decisions made by the independent judiciary, which are fact specific and made on a case-by-case basis. This particular judgement does not relate to an area of Ministry of Justice policy but as is normal practice, the Crown Prosecution Service can appeal rulings in the magistrates’ court.
Asked by: Michael Fabricant (Conservative - Lichfield)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to amend the law following the acquittal of the four people accused of causing criminal damage to a statue of Edward Colston in Bristol.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
The Crown Prosecution Service can choose to refer the case to the Attorney General, and if she agrees, she can ask the Court of Appeal to review whether the law needs to be clarified. This would not change the outcome of this specific case.
Through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, we are in the process of changing the law to ensure that those found guilty of desecrating or damaging a memorial face a punishment that better reflects the high sentimental and emotional impact these actions can have.
Asked by: Michael Fabricant (Conservative - Lichfield)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
What steps his Department has taken to control the spread of covid-19 in (a) prisons and (b) young offenders institutions; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Lucy Frazer
Since March, we have acted decisively to protect our staff, prisoners and the wider community from outbreaks in prisons and the youth estate. Our compartmentalisation strategy allows us to quarantine new arrivals, isolate those with symptoms, and shield vulnerable prisoners.
We have introduced routine testing of staff, and testing of prisoners on reception and transfer, in all prisons and YOIs. Whilst every death is a tragedy, thanks to the hard work of our dedicated prison staff, we have managed to limit deaths from Covid in the prison estate to far below PHE predictions.
Asked by: Michael Fabricant (Conservative - Lichfield)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will list all the crematoria in England operating within the 50-yard requirement of Section 5 of the Cremation Act 1902.
Answered by Lucy Frazer
Section 5 of the Cremation Act 1902 requires that a crematorium must be sited at least 50 yards from a public highway. It is a criminal offence for cremation to take place at a crematorium which does not meet this requirement.
The Ministry of Justice does not keep a record of whether individual crematoria comply with this requirement.