Contributions
1,499 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Second sitting)Q I am learning more this afternoon about automatic release and the roles of the Parole Boards. Some stakeholders have expressed concern that changes to the automatic release…18 May 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Second sitting)Q What impact do you think the proposed changes in sentencing across the Bill will have on criminal cases? Derek Sweeting QC: The answer is that we are probably likely to see…18 May 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Second sitting)Q So it is perhaps not really necessary. Derek Sweeting QC: I wonder whether the sledgehammer is being used for a nut here. I think you have to reflect public concern about…18 May 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Second sitting)Q That is a richness in time, Chair. Clause 46 covers criminal damage to memorials and mode of trial. How does the clause actually add to existing legal provision for these types…18 May 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Second sitting)Q I have an open question for you. One of my colleagues who was supposed to be serving on the Committee asked what the principal challenges in the youth justice system are.…18 May 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Second sitting)Q Yes, in view of the fact that we have some time left. You talked about the secure schools system. How can we ensure that secure schools learn from the systemic problems in other…18 May 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Second sitting)Q You are managing to get a lot on the record, but I would like to put one other question before I run out of time. Do you think the changes to youth sentencing will…18 May 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Second sitting)Q The Alliance for Youth Justice said: “There is no evidence that the threat of harsher custodial sentences deters children from offending, no evidence that contributes towards…18 May 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Second sitting)Q Fine. Thank you, that is helpful. Clause 36(10) of the Bill says that “In this Chapter— “adult” means a person aged 16 or over”. Given the wealth of evidence on maturity, do you…18 May 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsWill the Minister guarantee the future of the steel industry in Hartlepool? [ Interruption. ] Anybody will do.27 Apr 2021HANSARDDog TheftsThe Secretary of State, I am sure, has a comprehensive understanding of this issue, which causes undue distress to people and affects dogs, cats and all manner of other pets. This…22 Apr 2021HANSARDDog TheftsWhat discussions he has had with the Home Secretary on reducing dog thefts.22 Apr 2021HANSARDTrade with the EU: Non-tariff BarriersWhat steps he is taking to support businesses subject to non-tariff barriers to trade with the EU.25 Mar 2021HANSARDTrade with the EU: Non-tariff BarriersI wrote to the Minister six weeks ago about my constituent Graham Leggett, who said his worst fears had come true, and shared the concerns of a local freight operator who said…25 Mar 2021HANSARDViolence Reduction UnitsEven when the promised 150 police officers are recruited to the Cleveland force, we will still have 350 fewer police than in 2010, and that in an area where the rate of serious…22 Mar 2021HANSARDViolence Reduction UnitsWhat recent discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the adequacy of resources for violence reduction units.22 Mar 2021HANSARDHM Courts and Tribunals Service: BacklogAs we have already heard, the Crown court backlog has reached nearly 57,000 cases. Many victims of rape and sexual violence face waits of three or four years until their case…16 Mar 2021HANSARD Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts BillI am grateful to my next-door neighbour in Stockton for giving way. We have the third most serious level of serious crime in Cleveland, yet the hon. Gentleman’s Government refused…16 Mar 2021HANSARD Levelling UpMay I too also welcome the Minister to Stockton, to visit Billingham, which was told not even to bother to bid for town centre funds? We have lost 12,500 jobs across the Tees…16 Mar 2021HANSARDBudget Resolutions and Economic SituationThe Tees valley needed a Budget to help replace the extra 12,500 jobs lost in the past 11 months. What we got was politically opportunistic short-termism with more promises of…08 Mar 2021