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9 Jan 2006 : Column 238W—continued
Family Law Act
Dr. Kumar: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs when section 42A of the Family Law Act 1996 will come into force; and if she will make a statement. [37762]
Bridget Prentice: The Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 makes amendments to Part IV of the Family Law Act 1996, the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
It is the biggest overhaul of domestic violence legislation for 30 years and is a crucial part of the Government's wider strategy for preventing domestic violence by protecting and supporting victims, and bringing perpetrators to justice. The new section 42A of the Family Law Act 1996 refers to the breach of non-molestation orders which will become a criminal offence.
Implementation of the Act is commitment 12 of the National Report and Delivery Plan, which was published on the 31 March 2005. The provisions of the Act will be implemented on a rolling basis as and when funding is identified and relevant training completed.
Dr. Kumar: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the average time taken for contempt proceedings to be dealt with under the Family Law Act 1996 was prior to the amendments of the Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Act 2004. [37763]
Bridget Prentice:
This information is not collated centrally. Part of our plans for the implementation of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 is the better collection of statistical information. We are planning to research the impact of breaches and the implementation of the provisions of the Act.
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Dr. Kumar: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether she plans to introduce measures to ensure exchange of information between family and criminal courts for the breach of non-molestation orders under the new provision 42A of the Family Law Act 1996. [37772]
Bridget Prentice: The Family Proceedings (Amendment No 4) Rules 2005 [SI: 2005 No. 1976 (L.18)] which were implemented on 31 October 2005 clarify who and how information in family proceedings may be shared. My Department is also developing a protocol on information sharing for the Integrated Domestic Violence Court Pilot at Croydon.
This is underpinned by the Family-Criminal Interface Steering Committee which my Department established with the support of the Deputy Chief Justice on 9 February 2004.
The Steering Committee, co-chaired by the Solicitor General and the President of the Family Division, has an 'overview' role in co-ordinating all work currently being undertaken in England and Wales to improve the interface between the family and criminal jurisdictions.
Gravesend and Dartford County Courts
Mr. Holloway: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the currentwaiting time is from allocation to hearing for small claims at the Gravesend and Dartford county courts. [39524]
Ms Harman: The current performance data (October 2005) is showing the average waiting time for small claims at Gravesend county court to be five weeks from application to hearing. The performance indicator for cases heard in small claims courts is currently 78 per cent. of cases to be heard within 15 weeks. Gravesend county court is currently operating 100 per cent. effective.
Mr. Holloway: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many possession cases were issued at the Gravesend county court between (a) 1 October 2004 and 31 March 2005 and (b) 1 April 2005 and 30 September 2005. [39523]
Ms Harman: Between 1 October 2004 and 31 March 2005, 296 possession claims were issued.
Between 1 April 2005 and 30 September 2005, 338 possession claims were issued.
Her Majesty's Courts Service
Mr. Pelling: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what progress has been made on pay negotiations with former magistrates courts staff transferred to Her Majesty's Courts Service. [39551]
Bridget Prentice:
The Department has been engaged in discussions throughout 2005 with the unions representing staff subject to former magistrates courts
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service (MCS) terms and conditions of service. Formal negotiations began on 5 April 2005 once former MCS staff transferred into DCA.
The Department has made an offer to the unions which officials believe is fair given the current economic circumstances, public sector pay awards generally and what the Department can afford. It is therefore regrettable that PCS and Prospect are taking industrial action. Officials remain prepared to discuss any constructive proposals that the unions wish to put forward to resolve the dispute, recognising the constraints within which the department has to operate.
High Sheriffs
Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the name is of each person who has been appointed to a post of high sheriff in each of the last 30 years; and in respect of which area each was appointed. [39288]
Ms Harman: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
House of Lords Reform
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on progress on reform of the House of Lords. [39466]
Ms Harman: The Government are continuing to seek the co-operation of other parties in setting up a Joint Committee of both Houses to consider and codify the powers of the House of Lords. The Government hope to be able to proceed with the establishment of the Joint Committee as soon as possible.
The Government will also proceed on its other free-standing manifesto commitments on Lords reform—to limit to 60 days the time the House of Lords deal with a Bill, to abolish the remaining hereditary peers and to allow a free vote on the composition of the House of Lords.
Incentive Packages
Stewart Hosie: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the value is of (a) pay supplements, (b) bonuses and (c) other incentive packages that are payable in her Department on the basis of geographic location; how many people are in receipt of each payment; and what the total cost to her Department of each payment was in 2004–05. [35916]
Ms Harman: Details of pay supplements, bonuses and other incentive packages paid to DCA staff broken down by DCA administrative area for the year ending 31 March 2005 follow. The information is not readily available broken down by Government office regions.
The information requested is not readily available for staff previously employed by magistrates courts committees and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
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DCA performance and bonus payments 2004–05
| £ | |
|---|---|
| Value | 244,525 |
| Cost (incl. employers NIC) | 267,266 |
(45)Payments are not recorded by region
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