Contributions
1,097 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEuropean Convention on Human Rights: 75th AnniversaryI thank the right reverend Prelate for that question. He is right that the Good Friday agreement is underpinned by the convention, and it is important that that should continue.07 Jan 2025HANSARDEuropean Convention on Human Rights: 75th AnniversaryI thank the noble Lord for that question. I remember dealing with those types of questions while I was an Opposition Minister in the Home Office. Whether Articles 8 and 10 are…07 Jan 2025HANSARDNon-Consensual Sexually Explicit Images and Videos (Offences) Bill [HL]My Lords, I start by acknowledging the point made by the noble Lord, Lord Clement-Jones, that there is obviously formidable support for the Bill, as we have heard in today’s…13 Dec 2024HANSARDNon-Consensual Sexually Explicit Images and Videos (Offences) Bill [HL]I am afraid I cannot elaborate further, because of the complexity of the situation that the noble Lord highlighted. We realise that it is difficult, and we need to get the law…13 Dec 2024HANSARDNon-Consensual Sexually Explicit Images and Videos (Offences) Bill [HL]Regarding the noble Baroness’s question about consent, I would like to reassure the House that in a criminal case the onus is never on the victim to marshal evidence or to prove…13 Dec 2024HANSARDNon-Consensual Sexually Explicit Images and Videos (Offences) Bill [HL]My noble friend raised that point with me the other day, and I checked it with advisers in the department. I think it would be unwise to assume that a woman would never, under any…13 Dec 2024HANSARDNon-Consensual Sexually Explicit Images and Videos (Offences) Bill [HL]I am very happy to confirm the point that my noble friend has raised. In fact, in my briefing, the words “in this Session” are underlined—so, yes, that is indeed the case.13 Dec 2024HANSARDNon-Consensual Sexually Explicit Images and Videos (Offences) Bill [HL]I am afraid I will have to repeat the point I made previously: we understand very well the strength of feeling on this argument, and we are actively considering it.13 Dec 2024HANSARDNon-Consensual Sexually Explicit Images and Videos (Offences) Bill [HL]I absolutely heard what the noble Baroness said about strict liability offences. The Government’s position is as I just said. However, I listened very carefully to what the noble…13 Dec 2024HANSARDPrisons: Imprisonment for Public ProtectionMy Lords, this has undoubtedly been a powerful debate, with views expressed passionately. I have in front of me a reasonably lengthy speech in which I will address most of the…12 Dec 2024HANSARDHome Detention Curfew and Requisite and Minimum Custodial Periods (Amendment) Order 2024My Lords, in moving this order, I thank members of the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee for the scrutiny of this statutory instrument. The Government laid this draft order…10 Dec 2024HANSARDHome Detention Curfew and Requisite and Minimum Custodial Periods (Amendment) Order 2024My Lords, I thank all noble Lords who contributed to this short debate. I agreed with all the points of the noble Baroness, Lady Newlove, on the importance of victims, but one…10 Dec 2024HANSARDHome Detention Curfew and Requisite and Minimum Custodial Periods (Amendment) Order 2024That the draft Order laid before the House on 13 November be approved. Relevant document: 10th Report from the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee (special attention drawn to…10 Dec 2024HANSARDHumanist MarriagesWell, I have been advised by my Leader that I need to say “in the fullness of time”.02 Dec 2024HANSARDHumanist MarriagesThe noble Baroness makes an important point. In my time as a family magistrate, I often had people in front of me who were married in religious ceremonies but not married in the…02 Dec 2024HANSARDHumanist MarriagesI am afraid that my noble friend has been unsuccessful in getting a different answer, but I take the point he makes.02 Dec 2024HANSARDHumanist MarriagesI thank my noble friend for that question. Indeed, it could be seen to be an equalities issue, but the Government’s approach is to look at this matter in the round.02 Dec 2024HANSARDHumanist MarriagesI agree with the noble Lord. The objective of the Government is to have clarity and fairness in relation to weddings within England and Wales. There were 57 recommendations in a…02 Dec 2024HANSARDHumanist MarriagesThe statistic that the noble Baroness cited is accurate from my experience. Yes, such a change would have a disproportionate benefit for same-sex couples, and that factor should…02 Dec 2024HANSARDHumanist MarriagesMy Lords, my answer is the same as that given to the previous questions, which is that there are indeed anomalies in weddings law within England and Wales; they cut across many…02 Dec 2024