Contributions
2,978 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Eighteenth sitting)In terms of ensuring that people have access to the necessary services—we recognise that that needs to be done—significantly increased investment is being made to address the…22 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Eighteenth sitting)We do recognise that there are challenges in making sure that offenders leaving prison are given access to the services they need, so that they can get their lives back on track.…22 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Eighteenth sitting)I was about to sit down, but I can see that the member of the Committee from a Scottish seat wants to intervene, and it would be churlish not to accept.22 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Eighteenth sitting)Broadly speaking, the Government are keen to see alternatives to short custodial sentences. That is why we have been forward in promoting alternatives, such as community sentence…22 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Eighteenth sitting)Yes. The Law Commission has been commissioned already and the remit, to which it has agreed—it has not been debated—is to examine the law, guidance and practice relating to the…22 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Seventeenth sitting)On monetary or emotional value, the Sentencing Council guidelines recognise emotional value and non-monetary worth. The hon. Lady asks about the interaction between the 2021 Act…22 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Seventeenth sitting)That is exactly the kind of question the taskforce will be considering. Under the 1968 Act, theft is a triable either-way offence, which means it can be tried in the Crown court…22 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Seventeenth sitting)My hon. Friend makes a good point, and those topics are precisely the ones the taskforce is addressing to make sure the appropriate statutory powers exist. The maximum sentence of…22 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Seventeenth sitting)Always happy to work together on any issue.22 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Seventeenth sitting)Let me finish the sentence—for all the circumstances that may arise in an individual case. Therefore, although we have guidelines, procedures and so on, ultimately, the management…22 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Seventeenth sitting)The Government’s position, in conclusion, is that it is very hard to sit in Parliament and legislate definitively and bindingly—22 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Seventeenth sitting)Having spoken to new clause 4, let me turn now to new clause 20. As the hon. Lady says, it moves the discretion away from a judge and makes it the witness’s choice whether the…22 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Seventeenth sitting)Giving evidence by live link in proceedings is obviously different from section 28, which applies to pre-recorded evidence and cross-examination. In answer to the question about…22 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Seventeenth sitting)I am grateful to the shadow Minister, the hon. Member for Stockton North, and the hon. Member for Rotherham for raising this important issue. Clearly, all hon. Members from across…22 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Seventeenth sitting)Yes, that is exactly the type of question the review should consider, along with the counterfactual question of what would happen if this measure is not used. Both alternatives…22 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Seventeenth sitting)I am afraid that I do not have that precise figure to hand: I was relaying reports I have received from people who are active in this area. I can certainly see if that figure…22 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Fifteenth sitting)On a point of order, Mr McCabe. Colleagues will recall that I made the point on Tuesday that the cliff edge for an extended determinate sentence, referred to by the hon. Member…17 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Sixteenth sitting)I beg to move amendment 134, in clause 163, page 180, line 23, at end insert— “(A1) The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, as it forms part of the law of England and Wales, is…17 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Sixteenth sitting)I thank the shadow Minister for his speech. Interestingly, it pulled in two different directions. On the one hand, he quoted the Bar Council’s concerns about whether the jury…17 Jun 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Sixteenth sitting)Yes, I believe—in fact, I know, because it is written down in front of me; that is not quite the same thing, but let us assume it is for these purposes—that the provisions create…17 Jun 2021