Asked by: Rehman Chishti (Conservative - Gillingham and Rainham)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many convictions have been made under Article 222 of the Air Navigation Order 2009 since that order came into force.
Answered by Andrew Selous
The number of offenders found guilty at all courts for offences under article 22 of the Air Navigation Order 2009, in England and Wales, from 2009 t0 2014 (latest available) can be viewed in the attached table.
Asked by: Rehman Chishti (Conservative - Gillingham and Rainham)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what (a) regulations and (b) guidance apply to Sheriffs breaking into commercial properties to recover debts.
Answered by Shailesh Vara
The rules governing the power to enter a commercial property for enforcement by taking control of goods are contained in Schedule 12 to the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007. Enforcement under a High Court Writ, which was the responsibility of Sheriffs, is now carried out by High Court Enforcement Officers pursuant to the High Court Enforcement Officers Regulations 2004. Paragraphs 14 to 30 of Schedule 12 (as amended by the Crime and Courts Act 2013) make provision concerning powers of entry for the purposes of enforcement, and paragraphs 18A and 19 make provision specifically in relation to the power to use reasonable force to enter premises at which the enforcement officer reasonably believes the debtor carries on a trade or a business. The Ministry of Justice has produced guidance, the Taking Control of Goods: National Standards, to support creditors and enforcement agents and promote minimum standards. It is available on the Gov.uk website.
Asked by: Rehman Chishti (Conservative - Gillingham and Rainham)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when he expects section 29 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 to be commenced.
Answered by Mike Penning
Driving offences resulting in the tragic consequences of death or serious injury bring untold misery to victims’ families. It is right that the maximum prison sentence for causing death by driving while disqualified has been increased and a new offence of serious injury has been created. These new provisions will be commenced very soon.
Asked by: Rehman Chishti (Conservative - Gillingham and Rainham)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many convictions for racially or religiously aggravated offences there were in each of the last 10 years.
Answered by Mike Penning
These are despicable crimes that devastate lives and communities. Hate crimes are not acceptable and the courts hand out tougher punishments where race or religion are found to be aggravating factors.
The number of offenders found guilty at all courts for racially and religiously aggravated offences, in England and Wales, from 2004 to 2013 (the latest available) can be viewed in the attached table.
Asked by: Rehman Chishti (Conservative - Gillingham and Rainham)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans his Department has to install fixed or mobile hearing enhancement systems in courts without such systems.
Answered by Shailesh Vara
HM Courts & Tribunals Service will make reasonable adjustments to ensure access to information and services for customers with disabilities.
Customers are advised to contact courts if a reasonable adjustment is required. However, we are looking further at the alternative arrangements in place at courts with no hearing systems to identify whether any improvements in provision would be helpful.