Contributions
1,528 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Tenth sitting)Just to be clear, ensuring that magistrates are assigned, wherever possible, to what we would call a home court, near to where they live, is and will remain an important…18 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Tenth sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Rosindell. Amendment 73 proposes to set out in primary legislation the requirement for a coroner to seek consent from…18 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Tenth sitting)Not least because we do not want to have to put a further burden on the coroner’s office should any question marks be raised about the circumstances— [ Laughter. ] Or, indeed, a…18 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Tenth sitting)I appreciate the various questions from the hon. Gentleman. The key point in his amendment is consultation. Specifically, the amendment proposes to set out in primary legislation…18 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Tenth sitting)To be completely transparent, the purpose of the clause is to allow some very specific mergers to happen. If implemented, there will be an immediate benefit in allowing Kent…18 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Tenth sitting)Clause 41 is intended to support the objective of the Government and, more recently, the Chief Coroner to merge coroner areas where the opportunity arises in order to improve…18 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Tenth sitting)Eighteen months ago, at the height of the pandemic, the Government introduced the Coronavirus Act 2020, which formed the foundations of our approach to combating the pandemic. The…18 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Tenth sitting)Very briefly, I believe that the clause adds flexibility. It is important that we have the ability to hold such hearings remotely. As I have said, it joins up with how hearings…18 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Tenth sitting)I am grateful to my right hon. Friend. That is an ideal note to conclude on, because this is about striking a balance. I would just add that this measure also complements a…18 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Tenth sitting)Before speaking to the clause, I just want to reflect on something interesting. When we discussed the first clause in relation to coroners, I mentioned the point about the…18 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Tenth sitting)Has there been—I will double-check with my officials—exhaustive, detailed analysis of the impact of remote hearings on bereaved families? To my knowledge, there has not yet. If…18 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Tenth sitting)Of course, and on that basis I think I will conclude.18 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Tenth sitting)I had finished my speech—for the second time. But it is only fair that I rewind in order to give way.18 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Tenth sitting)I know that my right hon. Friend takes a passionate interest in the subject. I am due to write to him on the position of children in care. I do not think that we have sent that…18 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Tenth sitting)My right hon. Friend is furthering his cause of unravelling progress towards remote participation and so on. On the basis of what my hon. Friend says, we could question almost all…18 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Tenth sitting)Although not a lawyer, my hon. Friend, given her medical background, understands very much how we deal with people day to day, but I would argue that one could say that of any…18 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Tenth sitting)I was just about to come on to the issue of legal help, because the hon. Gentleman asked about that earlier. Legal help and advice in relation to inquests is already in scope of…18 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Tenth sitting)Each year, around 30,000 inquests are held in England and Wales. Indeed, 32,000 inquests were opened in 2020. A significant number of the cases are non-contentious and those most…18 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Tenth sitting)I am grateful to my right hon. Friend the Member for South Holland and The Deepings for another very interesting contribution. His point that he is not as experienced as he will…18 Nov 2021HANSARDJudicial Review and Courts Bill (Tenth sitting)I give way to my other Lincolnshire colleague.18 Nov 2021