Contributions
1,097 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD“Hillsborough Law”As I think I said in answer to an earlier question, the Government have been quite clear that, under the duty of candour, public officials will be bound by that duty, with…24 Jul 2025HANSARD“Hillsborough Law”I think that is, if I may say so, a similar question to that from my noble friend Lady Chakrabarti. I have heard that the ongoing discussions are in fact reasonably positive, and…24 Jul 2025HANSARD“Hillsborough Law”My Lords, as I said before, it is a manifesto commitment to provide legal aid at inquests for victims of disasters or state-related deaths.24 Jul 2025HANSARD“Hillsborough Law”My Lords, I do not think that this Bill, which has not been published yet, will address that issue. However, I take the point that my noble friend makes. Really, he is raising a…24 Jul 2025HANSARDEuropean Convention on Human RightsMy Lords, this Government are fully committed to the protection of human rights, domestically and internationally, and remain unequivocally committed to the international human…17 Jul 2025HANSARDEuropean Convention on Human RightsI agree with the sentiments behind my noble friend’s question. The ECHR has achieved 75 years of success, but we cannot shy away from developments in our societies. The ECHR and…17 Jul 2025HANSARDEuropean Convention on Human RightsAs the noble Lord rightly points out, there has been an immigration White Paper. In it, we have said that we will look to deliver a new framework to consider Article 8—the right…17 Jul 2025HANSARDEuropean Convention on Human RightsYes, I can give the confirmation that the noble Lord seeks. He sets out the case, as I think I did in answer to the noble Lord, Lord Lilley, but the reality is that this is just…17 Jul 2025HANSARDEuropean Convention on Human RightsI just do not think we are in that position at present. We can amend our own legislation regarding Article 8. There is the margin of appreciation which noble Lord, Lord Marks,…17 Jul 2025HANSARDEuropean Convention on Human RightsMy noble friend makes a good point and is right. I think that we are repeating the same question in different ways, if I may say so. We have committed to addressing Article 8…17 Jul 2025HANSARDEuropean Convention on Human RightsI can quote from my right honourable friend the Lord Chancellor’s speech in Strasbourg in June, where she acknowledged the letter—which was of course signed by EU members; the UK…17 Jul 2025HANSARDEuropean Convention on Human RightsMy right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has laid a draft proposal for a draft remedial order to set out his intention to introduce primary…17 Jul 2025HANSARDEuropean Convention on Human RightsI thank my noble friend Lady Winterton for that question. As she said, she has been an election monitor with the OSCE. I have been an election monitor with the Council of Europe…17 Jul 2025HANSARDTrial by Jury: Proposed RestrictionsMy Lords, the Government already have more sitting days than any previous Government. The central observation of both Sir Brian Leveson’s review and the earlier view of David…14 Jul 2025HANSARDTrial by Jury: Proposed RestrictionsI thank the noble Lord for those questions. He is absolutely right that we are not short of jurors. We are also not short of magistrates and there is no shortage of applicants to…14 Jul 2025HANSARDTrial by Jury: Proposed RestrictionsMy noble friend makes a fair point. I would say that magistrates are more diverse than judges. Judges already sit in certain types of cases as single judges deciding people’s…14 Jul 2025HANSARDTrial by Jury: Proposed RestrictionsI thank the noble Lord for his support. I agree with everything he said. Data published last month showed the backlog stood at nearly 77,000 cases. That is an increase of 2,300…14 Jul 2025HANSARDTrial by Jury: Proposed RestrictionsI absolutely recognise what the right reverend Prelate has said. As he may know, I sat as a youth magistrate for 17 years and as a family magistrate for a long period as well, and…14 Jul 2025HANSARDTrial by Jury: Proposed RestrictionsI agree with the noble Lord—of course I would agree because, as a magistrate, I was among those who hear 90% of all criminal cases. There is no right to a jury trial; however,…14 Jul 2025HANSARDTrial by Jury: Proposed RestrictionsThe noble Lord makes a very good point. It was a recommendation of Sir Brian’s, and I am sure it is one on which the Government will reflect very carefully.14 Jul 2025