Contributions
2,978 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCourt CapacityThe Chair of the Justice Committee is, as always, right in his analysis. We need to ensure that the capacity exists and, for the reason he mentioned, 1,600 extra staff have…29 Jun 2021HANSARDCourt CapacityFirst, it is important to make clear that prosecution decisions are taken by the independent Crown Prosecution Service, not by the courts system. Secondly, when it comes to…29 Jun 2021HANSARDCourt CapacityThe pandemic has affected courts, like it has affected so many other areas of life. The Government have responded energetically and comprehensively, for example by opening 60 new…29 Jun 2021HANSARDCourt CapacityWe are continuing Nightingale courtrooms. We are also saying to the judiciary, critically, that there will be no constraint on Crown court sitting days this current financial…29 Jun 2021HANSARDCourt CapacityListing of individual cases is a judicial function, and there are sometimes legal reasons why cases get put off. I must say that in Wales, actually, the court system is performing…29 Jun 2021HANSARDDraft Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (Juxtaposed Controls) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2021I beg to move, That the Cttee has considered the draft Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (Juxtaposed Controls) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2021. It is a great pleasure to…28 Jun 2021HANSARDDraft Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (Juxtaposed Controls) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2021I thank the shadow Minister for both his support and his brevity. Question put and agreed to.28 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Twentieth sitting)I am conscious of time, so I will try to respond concisely. On new clause 67, when the offender has crossed a significant age threshold such as the age of 18 between committing…24 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Twentieth sitting)I thank the shadow Minister, my constituency neighbour, for introducing these new clauses. I join her in paying tribute to the retail workers and others who have kept our country…24 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Nineteeth sitting)It is, as always, a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr McCabe. I thank the shadow Minister for raising this extremely important issue. The case he mentioned of Phillip…24 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Nineteeth sitting)I am coming close to saying that. I am saying that this is something that the Government are currently looking at. The Government accept the need to act on this, as the Lord…24 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Nineteeth sitting)I thank my right hon. Friend for reminding the Committee and me exactly where I sit in the hierarchy of Government. As a former senior Minister himself, he will know that my…24 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Nineteeth sitting)I appreciate the shadow Minister’s point, but the truth is we will not have had the chance to deal properly with all the other offences by Report, which is in just a week and a…24 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Twentieth sitting)I am not Lord Chancellor, though. We might separate the “cause” part from the “allow” part because “cause” and “allow” are somewhat different.24 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Twentieth sitting)The “allow” part could conceivably apply to both where there are two parents. It can probably be established that they must have been aware of the abuse because they must have…24 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Twentieth sitting)Yes. We could have different maximum penalties for each of those, and even the lower one could be higher than the current penalty, so we could still make progress from where we…24 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Twentieth sitting)Honestly, I would not have thought so. That is only a week and a half away, but I will pass that representation on. I know hon. Members want to hear at an early stage, such as…24 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Twentieth sitting)I thank the shadow Minister for his speech and for introducing this new clause so eloquently. He mentioned the tragic case of Helen McCourt, which I am sure is on our minds as we…24 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Twentieth sitting)The case of Tony Hudgell is truly heart-breaking. The abuse that he suffered at the hands of his birth parents is shocking beyond expression. In fact, I met his adopted mother,…24 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Twentieth sitting)I think the sentencing guidelines are important. Addressing coughing, spitting and causing fear of infectious disease transmission is important, as is the recognition that public…24 Jun 2021