Contributions
1,499 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Second sitting)Well—18 May 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Second sitting)Q Is it not a matter for the courts, or a judge, to determine the sentence on an offender, rather than the Secretary of State accepting advice from the Parole Board? Jonathan Hall…18 May 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Second sitting)Q Can I give you a quote from the Prison Reform Trust? It said in its briefing: “Making release from custody discretionary, and contemplating the possibility that the period in…18 May 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Second sitting)Q The Bill vests that responsibility in the Secretary of State. He is the person to make the decision, not the Parole Board. Jonathan Hall QC: Okay. I have to say that I have not…18 May 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Second sitting)Sorry, can I stop you there? Can you explain the parole role in this, because my understanding was that it would not actually happen? Jonathan Hall QC: Let us say I get a…18 May 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Second sitting)Q Clause 108 grants the Secretary of State the power to prevent the automatic release of prisoners who are considered to be a significant public protection concern. Some experts…18 May 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Second sitting)Q It has been suggested that the community caution requires a formal admission of guilt. Evidence suggests that offenders from a BAME background are far less likely to admit guilt…18 May 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Second sitting)Q So the simple caution should remain? Adrian Crossley: No, not the simple caution. It is a community resolution. It is slightly different and more like a contract with the police…18 May 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Second sitting)Q I have a number of questions across different areas, so short answers would be appreciated. First, Phil touched on the disproportionate impact on specific communities of minimum…18 May 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Second sitting)That is helpful. Can I—18 May 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (First sitting)That would be fine. Thank you.18 May 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (First sitting)Q How confident are you that the proposed two-tier system of cautions will be practical for police officers to apply and effective in controlling crime? What disadvantages do you…18 May 2021HANSARDBacklog of Court CasesEven the Minister’s own MPs accept that there is a crisis in the court system. There are now a record 57,000 outstanding Crown court cases. Lawyers are concerned that they cannot…18 May 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Second sitting)Q Finally, what safeguards could the Government place in the Bill to ensure that clause 168 does not detrimentally impact fair trial rights? Derek Sweeting QC: In the end, it will…18 May 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Second sitting)Q We look forward to the debate with the Minister. I want to return to the extension of the use of video and audio links. In your experience, are there any particular groups of…18 May 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Second sitting)Q You have already addressed the issue of remote juries. I was not too sure whether you were actually prepared to accept them in some circumstances. What is the clear position of…18 May 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Second sitting)Q I just love brief answers—this is great. The Bill amends the 13th-person rule by allowing a British Sign Language interpreter into the jury room. I do not know whether you would…18 May 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Second sitting)Q Would you welcome provisions being added to the Bill as it exists today to tackle criminal child exploitation? Derek Sweeting QC: Yes. I think we have drawn attention to the…18 May 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Second sitting)The provision about the changes to automatic release and referral to the Parole Board. Derek Sweeting QC: I am not sure that we have commented on that, actually.18 May 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Second sitting)Q What should happen instead of this provision in the Bill? Derek Sweeting QC: Which one are you referring to?18 May 2021