Asked by: Susan Elan Jones (Labour - Clwyd South)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when the Government plans to implement its proposals for longer sentences for drivers who cause death by (a) speeding, (b) racing and (c) using a mobile phone.
Answered by Rory Stewart
The government is committed to making sure that the courts have sufficient powers to deal with driving offences appropriately and proportionately.
In the response to the consultation on driving offences and penalties relating to causing death or serious injury, published in 2017, the government proposed to increase the maximum penalties for causing death by dangerous driving and causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs from 14 years’ imprisonment to life.
We will bring forward proposals for changes in the law as soon as parliamentary time allows. These proposals will take account of, and incorporate, all of government’s proposals for safer roads, including any arising from the Department of Transport’s review of cycle safety.
Asked by: Susan Elan Jones (Labour - Clwyd South)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department has plans to bring forward legislative proposals to establish an independent body to provide for the regulation of enforcement agents.
Answered by Lucy Frazer - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
The Government will launch a call for evidence shortly to evaluate the enforcement agent reforms introduced by the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007. Evidence received from the call for evidence will be used to inform our assessment of the current regulation of the industry, and options for further reform.
Asked by: Susan Elan Jones (Labour - Clwyd South)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many drivers that have been subject to a driving ban commit further driving offences after the expiry of their driving ban.
Answered by Rory Stewart
The Ministry of Justice do not hold data on drivers committing further driving offences after the expiry of their driving ban.
The Department for Transport record data on disqualified drivers and hold the policy on driving disqualifications.
Asked by: Susan Elan Jones (Labour - Clwyd South)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the unduly lenient sentence scheme to certain cases tried at Magistrates Courts.
Answered by Lucy Frazer - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
The Government is considering further expansion of the unduly lenient sentencing scheme, to ensure it covers offences that are of particular concern to the public. We recently added further terrorism offences to the scheme.
Given that the scheme requires a reference by the Attorney General to the Court of Appeal, it is right that the scheme is focused on the more serious offences sentenced in the Crown Court. As a result, we have no immediate plans to expand the scope of the scheme to cases sentenced in the Magistrates’ Court.
Asked by: Susan Elan Jones (Labour - Clwyd South)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of prisoners completed GCSE English courses in the last (a) year, (b) two years and (c) five years.
Answered by Sam Gyimah
Data is collected in respect of participation and achievement in Level 2 English courses (equivalent to GCSE standard). These can be found at:
These data refer to English courses funded by the Offender Learning and Skills Service (OLASS) in English prisons. Historically, data specific to the completion of GCSE English courses is not collected. In Wales responsibility for learning and skills in prisons is devolved to the Welsh Government and this specific data breakdown is not routinely held centrally, but is held locally at specific sites.
Asked by: Susan Elan Jones (Labour - Clwyd South)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether the Government plans to introduce a volunteering programme for ex-offenders.
Answered by Sam Gyimah
Information and guidance to maximise the use of volunteers, including ex-offenders and serving prisoners, has been commissioned by the Ministry of Justice and was published in July 2016 by Clinks, the umbrella group for voluntary organisations working with offenders and their families. The Department is committed to continuing and increasing the use of volunteers, and encouraging appropriate volunteering opportunities for ex-offenders within rehabilitation services and elsewhere.
Asked by: Susan Elan Jones (Labour - Clwyd South)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on the sentencing review of motoring offences and penalties.
Answered by Phillip Lee
Both the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Transport are aware of concerns about a number of issues relating to serious driving offences and the maximum penalties those offences carry. The Government are committed to making sure that the courts have sufficient powers to deal with driving offences appropriately and proportionately within the context of our wider sentencing framework. It is our intention to commence a consultation before the end of the year which will look at driving offences and penalties.
The new Justice Secretary will meet the new Transport Secretary to discuss further in due course.
Asked by: Susan Elan Jones (Labour - Clwyd South)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when the results of the sentencing review of motoring offences and penalties will be published.
Answered by Phillip Lee
Both the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Transport are aware of concerns about a number of issues relating to serious driving offences and the maximum penalties those offences carry. The Government are committed to making sure that the courts have sufficient powers to deal with driving offences appropriately and proportionately within the context of our wider sentencing framework. It is our intention to commence a consultation before the end of the year which will look at driving offences and penalties.
The new Justice Secretary will meet the new Transport Secretary to discuss further in due course.
Asked by: Susan Elan Jones (Labour - Clwyd South)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the proposed purpose is of the review into sentencing of motoring offences and penalties.
Answered by Phillip Lee
Both the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Transport are aware of concerns about a number of issues relating to serious driving offences and the maximum penalties those offences carry. The Government are committed to making sure that the courts have sufficient powers to deal with driving offences appropriately and proportionately within the context of our wider sentencing framework. It is our intention to commence a consultation before the end of the year which will look at driving offences and penalties.
The new Justice Secretary will meet the new Transport Secretary to discuss further in due course.
Asked by: Susan Elan Jones (Labour - Clwyd South)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if a public consultation on motoring offences and penalties will be conducted as part of the Government's announced sentencing review.
Answered by Phillip Lee
Both the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Transport are aware of concerns about a number of issues relating to serious driving offences and the maximum penalties those offences carry. The Government are committed to making sure that the courts have sufficient powers to deal with driving offences appropriately and proportionately within the context of our wider sentencing framework. It is our intention to commence a consultation before the end of the year which will look at driving offences and penalties.
The new Justice Secretary will meet the new Transport Secretary to discuss further in due course.