The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

The information requested could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Each establishment licence holder has the responsibility at all times for the welfare of the animals within their establishment.

The Home Office take any allegations regarding non-compliance with the law, the Code of Practice or individual licence conditions very seriously. The Compliance Policy, found here: (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/animal-testing-and-research-compliance-with-aspa) explains how the Regulator identifies and investigates potential incidents of non-compliance and decides on appropriate and proportionate measures and remedies aimed to minimise the risk of recurrence. The Regulator focusses on delivering the right sanctions to achieve better compliance outcomes.

In July 2021 the Regulator initiated a new operating model that delivers a more structured and integrated framework aligned with leading regulatory practice. The assessment of compliance in this new model is achieved through a variety of methods including full system, facilities and partial audits, review of reports, investigation and management of cases of potential non-compliance.

Operational guidance on the use of rigid bar handcuffs, and the HM Prison and Probation Service policy on the use of force state that any use of handcuffs is considered a use of force, and must only be used when necessary, reasonable and proportionate to the seriousness of the circumstances. Following the use of rigid bar handcuffs, staff must complete a statement to justify their decision.

Use of rigid bar handcuffs must be discussed at a subsequent local Use of Force committee meeting and lessons learned shared with all staff. This can include, for example, discussions on alternatives which may have de-escalated the situation and any further training that may be required.

Rigid Bar handcuffs are being provided to all band 3-5 prison officers in the adult male estate. Establishments will be required to train their staff prior to issuing them therefore exact figures of staff equipped is not available. Instead we are able to provide the number of establishments who have commenced their training for the dates requested:

1 January 2019, None

1 April 1 2019, None

1 July 2019, None

1 October 2019: 2 establishments commenced training

1 January 2020: 16 establishments actively delivering training

Rigid bar handcuffs are only one of the tools we are giving prison officers to help them do their job more safely; others include body worn cameras and PAVA spray.

As stated in my answer to PQ HL348, we continue to monitor the case of Abduljalil al-Singace and raise his case at senior levels with the Government of Bahrain. The Bahraini Government has been clear in public statements that access to medical care for those in detention is guaranteed by the Constitution of Bahrain.

We are rolling out rigid-bar handcuffs to prison officers as part of our continued focus on improving safety and reducing violence.

Before a prison can deploy rigid bar handcuffs, all uniformed staff must be trained in their use. At the moment, only HMP Stoke Heath has completed its training, and 153 staff have been issued with rigid-bar handcuffs. At HMP Brinsford 43 staff have completed their training, with a further 13 to be trained by the end of this week. Other prisons are also at various stages of delivering their training.

In addition to these deployments, rigid-bar handcuffs are also carried by staff of the National Tactical Response Group and by Regional Search and Dog teams, as part of the operational response to incidents.

We continue to monitor the case of Hassan Mushaima closely. We have raised the case of Mr Mushaima at senior levels with the Bahraini Government and continue to follow the case. We have received confirmation of Mr Mushaima's recent medical appointments and assurances that he will continue to have access to all necessary healthcare and medical treatment whilst in detention, as guaranteed by the Bahraini constitution.

There is a robust legal framework relating to the use of restrictive practices, including the Human Rights Act 2008, Mental Health Act 1983, and the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Restrictive interventions should only be used in line with the legal framework, and by people with the appropriate training in the application of those practices, where there is a real possibility of harm to the person or to staff, the public or other. Mechanical restraints should never be a first line means of managing disturbed behaviour.

We will consider the most effective way to ensure all online retailers are made aware of the risks and ethical implications of selling products labelled in this way to the public.

The Government remains committed to delivering the Challenge on Dementia 2020 in full to make England the best place in the world for people with dementia to live.

There is a robust legal framework relating to the use of restrictive practices, including the Human Rights Act 2008, Mental Health Act 1983, and the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Restrictive interventions should only be used in line with the legal framework, and by people with the appropriate training in the application of those practices, where there is a real possibility of harm to the person or to staff, the public or other. Mechanical restraints should never be a first line means of managing disturbed behaviour.

We will consider the most effective way to ensure all online retailers are made aware of the risks and ethical implications of selling products labelled in this way to the public.

The Government remains committed to delivering the Challenge on Dementia 2020 in full to make England the best place in the world for people with dementia to live.

Our hardworking prison officers must have the tools to do their jobs and that’s why we’re rolling out body worn cameras, ‘police-style’ restraints, and trialling pepper spray. We keep a close eye on the threats officers face to make sure they have what they need.

We are currently piloting PAVA Spray, this will inform any decision on the further issue of PAVA to prison officers.

Rigid Bar Handcuffs will be issued to prisons to replace the current ratchet cuffs. This will happen over 18 – 36 months in order to ensure staff are fully trained on how to use them.

An investigation is underway into the causes of the incident involving a Home Office vehicle transporting immigration detainees on 14^th February. All the detainees on board were safely evacuated from the vehicle before being placed in handcuffs.

The safety and welfare of all those in our care is of the utmost importance and we will accept nothing but the highest standards from companies employed to provide detention and escorting services on our behalf.

The Government worked closely with the exhibition organiser, Clarion Defence and Security Ltd, to ensure that all exhibitors at Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) were aware of their export control obligations. This includes which items they were prohibited from supplying or delivering – or agreeing to supply or deliver – or refraining from acts calculated to promote the supply or delivery of such items, including exhibiting and advertising. Government hosted a pre-event briefing with Clarion to ensure they were fully aware of their responsibilities. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), who are responsible for the enforcement of export and trade controls, also attended the briefing to provide clear compliance guidance and to review the procedures Clarion had put in place.

The Export Control Joint Unit had a dedicated stand at DSEI which was manned by Ministry of Defence, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Trade officials. HMRC were present during each day of the exhibition to ensure exhibitors complied with UK Trade Controls, as they were in 2015. C-RICH Co and other stall holders were visited by HMRC.

The Government worked closely with the exhibition organiser, Clarion Defence and Security Ltd, to ensure that all exhibitors at Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) were aware of their export control obligations. This includes which items they were prohibited from supplying or delivering – or agreeing to supply or deliver – or refraining from acts calculated to promote the supply or delivery of such items, including exhibiting and advertising. Government hosted a pre-event briefing with Clarion to ensure they were fully aware of their responsibilities. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), who are responsible for the enforcement of export and trade controls, also attended the briefing to provide clear compliance guidance and to review the procedures Clarion had put in place.

The Export Control Joint Unit had a dedicated stand at DSEI which was manned by Ministry of Defence, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Trade officials. HMRC were present during each day of the exhibition to ensure exhibitors complied with UK Trade Controls, as they were in 2015. C-RICH Co and other stall holders were visited by HMRC.

Home Office policy remains that there should be a presumption against using handcuffs to escort detainees for medical visits. The decision to use handcuffs is made on the basis of an individual risk assessment, and we monitor the use of restraint by custody officers closely to ensure that the use of restraint is reasonable, necessary and proportionate.

Management information shows that from May 2015 to May 2016 there have been 31 incidents when a woman has been handcuffed when attending hospital from Yarl’s Wood immigration removal centre.

This is provisional management information that is subject to change. It has not been assured to the standard of Official Statistics:

Home Office policy remains that there should be a presumption against using handcuffs to escort detainees for medical visits. The decision to use handcuffs is made on the basis of an individual risk assessment, and we monitor the use of restraint by custody officers closely to ensure that the use of restraint is reasonable, necessary and proportionate.

Management information shows that from May 2015 to May 2016 there have been 31 incidents when a woman has been handcuffed when attending hospital from Yarl’s Wood immigration removal centre.

This is provisional management information that is subject to change. It has not been assured to the standard of Official Statistics:

Provisional management information showing the number of women who have been handcuffed when taken to hospital from Yarl’s Wood immigration removal centre over the requested period is detailed in the table below:

The increased figure in October 2015 was not due to any change in policy. These cases have been reviewed by the Home Office Use of Force Monitor to ensure that the use of handcuffs was appropriate. The review established that each case had been subject to an individual risk assessment, in accordance with standard policy, and that handcuffs were used on the basis of that outcome of that assessment.