Contributions
1,452 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPublic Office (Accountability) Bill (Fifth sitting)As the hon. Member said, her new clause 5 seeks to extend civil legal aid to seriously injured survivors who are participating in inquests or inquiries where the conduct of public…04 Dec 2025HANSARDPublic Office (Accountability) Bill (Fifth sitting)I recognise that, and I will happily engage with the hon. Lady further to ensure that we have no gaps.04 Dec 2025HANSARDPublic Office (Accountability) Bill (Fifth sitting)I thank all Members who have spoken in the debate on the new clause, which seeks to provide for a post-legislative review of the duty of candour and to include an assessment of…04 Dec 2025HANSARDPublic Office (Accountability) Bill (Fifth sitting)indicated assent.04 Dec 2025HANSARDPublic Office (Accountability) Bill (Fifth sitting)In the spirit of brevity, let me just say that the clauses contain standard provisions around Crown application. They confer powers to make consequential amendments as set out in…04 Dec 2025HANSARDPublic Office (Accountability) Bill (Fifth sitting)On a point of order, Sir Roger. I would appreciate the Committee indulging me briefly, because it is customary at this point to say a few brief words to mark the end of Committee…04 Dec 2025HANSARDPublic Office (Accountability) Bill (Fifth sitting)Yes, I can confirm that. Question put and agreed to. Clause 12 accordingly ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clauses 13 and 14 ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 15…04 Dec 2025HANSARDPublic Office (Accountability) Bill (Fifth sitting)All the Government amendments relate to our measures on the offences of misconduct in public office. Government amendment 11 adds members of the Parole Board to schedule 4 to the…04 Dec 2025HANSARDPublic Office (Accountability) Bill (Fifth sitting)I thank the hon. Lady and all Committee members for ensuring that our feet are held to the fire on our plans for implementation. We agree that the families have been waiting far…04 Dec 2025HANSARDPublic Office (Accountability) Bill (Fifth sitting)I thank the shadow Minister for raising this important issue. We agree wholeheartedly with the intention behind the amendment, and I can assure him that the Bill achieves that…04 Dec 2025HANSARDPublic Office (Accountability) Bill (Fifth sitting)I am grateful for those questions. On who will police the spend, it will not be for the coroner to police it; it will be for the public bodies themselves. They will be under an…04 Dec 2025HANSARDPublic Office (Accountability) Bill (Fifth sitting)No, there is no new money for this legislation. Therefore, we hope that the spending that public authorities carry out for inquests will match how much they have to fund for the…04 Dec 2025HANSARDPublic Office (Accountability) Bill (Fifth sitting)Absolutely. My hon. Friend makes a good point. This is to encourage good behaviour. It is to encourage public authorities to not come armed with many barristers, and to discourage…04 Dec 2025HANSARDPublic Office (Accountability) Bill (Fifth sitting)Clause 16 abolishes the common law offence of misconduct in public office, which our new statutory offences will replace. It also sets out arrangements for the transition to the…04 Dec 2025HANSARDPublic Office (Accountability) Bill (Fifth sitting)Clause 18 and schedule 6 represent a milestone moment in addressing the disparity in power often faced by bereaved families and other affected persons in the inquest and inquiry…04 Dec 2025HANSARDPublic Office (Accountability) Bill (Fifth sitting)I can confirm to my hon. Friend that we have a strong and positive working relationship with the Scottish Government and all the devolved Governments about the Bill. The Scottish…04 Dec 2025HANSARDPublic Office (Accountability) Bill (Fifth sitting)It is a privilege to serve with you in the Chair, Sir Roger. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool West Derby for outlining his concerns. I hope I will be able to…04 Dec 2025HANSARDPublic Office (Accountability) Bill (Fifth sitting)On Second Reading, we had a very healthy debate on journalism and the impact of media in state failures. It has laid heavily with me. It was a big focus of the debate, and we have…04 Dec 2025HANSARDPublic Office (Accountability) Bill (Fifth sitting)I totally agree with the hon. Gentleman. I have spoken about the need for responsible media reporting to prevent disinformation and misinformation. This provision, however, covers…04 Dec 2025HANSARDPublic Office (Accountability) Bill (Fifth sitting)I will happily raise that issue with the Pensions Minister in our discussions. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool West Derby for tabling the amendments. I hope to be…04 Dec 2025