The Bishop of Gloucester received the following written answers on 16th December 2024:
The Lord Bishop of Gloucester asked His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to publish the number of UK citizens in prison abroad as a matter of routine
Lord Collins of Highbury (Lab, FCDO): The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) launched a new consular case management system in October 2023 and is renewing the information management system that tracks data relating to consular assistance provided to British nationals. Due to the transition between systems, the FCDO is unable to provide comparable data from before and after October 2023 and has currently paused publishing online transparency reports on the number of arrest and detention cases where the FCDO is providing consular assistance. The FCDO expects to resume publishing of these reports in early 2025.
The Lord Bishop of Gloucester asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the support available to the families of those appealing their convictions through the Criminal Cases Review Commission; and what plans they have to support such families.
Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede (Lab, MoJ): The Criminal Cases Review Commission will provide updates on applications to family members where the applicant has given authority for that information to be shared.
Support for those who have suffered a miscarriage of justice is provided through the Miscarriage of Justice Support Service, part of Citizens Advice and funded by HM Prison and Probation Service. They offer support to people who have had their convictions quashed in an out of time appeal, such as help with accommodation, accessing benefits and obtaining ID documents, as well as pastoral and social support.
The Lord Bishop of Gloucester asked His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to review the Criminal Cases Review Commission.
Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede: The Law Commission are currently undertaking a review of the laws surrounding appeals for criminal cases. We will consider findings of this review alongside the findings of the independent review by Chris Henley KC to make sure the process through which people have their appeal considered, including the role of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), is fit for purpose.
The Church of England in Parliament 
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