Asked by: Nusrat Ghani (Conservative - Wealden)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether the Government plans to extend the maximum sentence for necrophilia from two years for cases that are consecutive.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The government is reviewing the statutory maximum penalty available for the offence of sexual penetration of a corpse under section 70 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. This review is taking place alongside the independent inquiry into the events surrounding David Fuller’s horrific offending in hospitals in Kent. That inquiry is due to publish interim findings shortly, with a final report published at a later date. Our review of available maximum penalties is likely to follow similar timescales, to ensure findings from the wider inquiry can be taken into account.
The current statutory maximum penalty is for one offence; where more than one offence is sentenced at the same time, each offence will be sentenced individually and the overall sentence passed will reflect the totality of offending behaviour, which may mean sentences being served consecutively. Our review of the statutory maximum penalty is considering instances of the commission of multiple, as well as single, offences.
Asked by: Nusrat Ghani (Conservative - Wealden)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the Government's timescale is for the decision on whether to extend the maximum sentence for necrophilia.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The government is reviewing the statutory maximum penalty available for the offence of sexual penetration of a corpse under section 70 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. This review is taking place alongside the independent inquiry into the events surrounding David Fuller’s horrific offending in hospitals in Kent. That inquiry is due to publish interim findings shortly, with a final report published at a later date. Our review of available maximum penalties is likely to follow similar timescales, to ensure findings from the wider inquiry can be taken into account.
The current statutory maximum penalty is for one offence; where more than one offence is sentenced at the same time, each offence will be sentenced individually and the overall sentence passed will reflect the totality of offending behaviour, which may mean sentences being served consecutively. Our review of the statutory maximum penalty is considering instances of the commission of multiple, as well as single, offences.
Asked by: Nusrat Ghani (Conservative - Wealden)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Minister for Asia has met with the Parliamentarians and academics who were sanctioned by the People's Republic of China.
Answered by Amanda Milling - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Foreign Secretary is clear that the freedom to speak out in opposition to human rights violations is fundamental, and the Government stands firmly with those who have been sanctioned.
The Prime Minister and former Foreign Secretary held meetings with the Parliamentarians named in China's announcement in March 2021, and Lord Ahmad has met other individuals and entities targeted. Through this engagement we have provided guidance and ongoing support, including a designated FCDO point of contact, and specialist briefing from relevant Government departments. We continue to offer our full support to those affected.
Asked by: Nusrat Ghani (Conservative - Wealden)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when the Minister for Asia met with the Chinese Ambassador Zheng Zeguang on 15 December 2021, whether she discussed the Uyghur Tribunal’s verdict of genocide with the Ambassador; what the outcome of that meeting was; and who was present at that meeting.
Answered by Amanda Milling - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
In my meeting with Ambassador Zheng on 15 December 2021, I raised the UK's serious concerns regarding human rights in Xinjiang, noting these concerns are widely shared by the international community. I urged the Chinese Government to engage with the evidence provided by the Uyghur Tribunal. I also raised the unacceptable and unwarranted sanctions imposed upon UK Parliamentarians by the People's Republic of China. I emphasised the importance of freedom of speech and Parliamentary independence in the UK, as well as the necessity for Parliamentarians to be able to raise their legitimate concerns.
Asked by: Nusrat Ghani (Conservative - Wealden)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether officials from the diplomatic service, including ambassadors and civil servants, were present at the diplomatic briefing on the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games held on 26 November 2021.
Answered by Amanda Milling - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
Officials from British Embassy Beijing attended the briefing on 26 November, alongside diplomats from a range of countries.
Asked by: Nusrat Ghani (Conservative - Wealden)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, pursuant to the Answer of 23 September 2021 to Question 49182, what steps the Government is taking to strengthen the ability of local authorities to encourage faster build out rates.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
The issue of slow build out has been raised in response to the Planning for the Future consultation. There are instances where delays in starting or progressing sites may be avoidable and the Government wants to empower authorities with the tools to respond to such cases. Consequently, we are exploring options to support faster build out as part of the wider package of proposed planning reforms. We are continuing to reflect on the many responses received to last year's White Paper and an announcement on next steps will be made.
Asked by: Nusrat Ghani (Conservative - Wealden)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 12 July 2021 to Question 28243 on Overseas Trade: China, whether her Department plans to begin discussions on (a) state-to-state trade or (b) a Sino-British Investment deal with China while that country maintains sanctions on hon. Members, British lawyers and British academics.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
HM Government has no plans to negotiate a trade deal with China. We do not have dates for the next United Kingdom-China Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO), which is our long-established trade dialogue with China.
Asked by: Nusrat Ghani (Conservative - Wealden)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 July 2021 to Question 23243 on Forced Labour, what progress has been made on convening a technical discussion with G7 partners to share data and evidence and develop recommendations based on best practices to prevent, identify, and eliminate forced labour in global supply chains.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Department for International Trade officials convened a technical discussion with G7 partners on the 7th of September to share data, evidence and develop recommendations based on best practices to prevent, identify, and eliminate forced labour in global supply chains. Experts from international and domestic organisations and the United Kingdom's Modern Slavery Envoy were invited to identify challenges and opportunities for governments. G7 members shared their respective best practices and identified areas for strengthened cooperation. G7 Trade Ministers will discuss the recommendations when they meet in October.
Asked by: Nusrat Ghani (Conservative - Wealden)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will consider providing step-in rights for local authorities to take control of the land to support development in their area.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
The Government is clear that new homes should be built out as soon as possible once planning permission is granted. Where build-out is delayed, it is for councils and developers to work closely together to overcome any barriers.
Local authorities have various compulsory purchase powers they can use to acquire land, including for the delivery of new housing. These are intended as a last resort and there must always be a compelling case in the public interest to justify intervention. Government is keen to encourage local authorities to make more effective use of compulsory purchase powers and we will continue to explore ways of supporting them in doing so.
Asked by: Nusrat Ghani (Conservative - Wealden)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle potential staffing shortages that local authorities face in the recruitment of (a) senior planning staff and (b) other planning and housing specialists.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
We are considering the responses to the Planning for the Future consultation and will be publishing our response.