Contributions
1,097 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD“Hillsborough Law”Yes, the Government are very clear: we remain fully committed to bringing legislation forward at pace, which will include a legal duty of candour for public servants and criminal…22 Apr 2025HANSARD“Hillsborough Law”I take the point that the noble and learned Lord has made. It is regrettable that we need this duty of candour, but we do need it. We have seen what has happened in events over…22 Apr 2025HANSARD“Hillsborough Law”My Lords, I understand there have been multiple meetings between Hillsborough Law Now and the Government, Andy Burnham, Steve Rotherham, Liverpool MPs and my noble friend Lord…22 Apr 2025HANSARD“Hillsborough Law”The Government have said that they want to introduce a duty of candour, with criminal consequences for those who do not live up to that standard. But it is part of a greater…22 Apr 2025HANSARD“Hillsborough Law”The noble Baroness has made a very good point. I will write to her on that matter; it is clearly a sensitive matter, so I think it is more appropriate to write.22 Apr 2025HANSARD“Hillsborough Law”Yes, I think I agree with the point that the noble Lord has made. Victims are not arbiters of the law. However, it is incumbent on anyone in government to be as sympathetic as is…22 Apr 2025HANSARDSentencing Council GuidelinesI thank the noble and learned Lord for his wise words and his analysis. Of course I acknowledge the point he made about resources. I earlier pointed to the discrepancy between…03 Apr 2025HANSARDSentencing Council GuidelinesI thank the noble Baroness for her support.03 Apr 2025HANSARDSentencing Council GuidelinesI thank the noble Lord for that question, and I recognise its complexity. That is why my right honourable friend wants to look at this question in the round, because the point he…03 Apr 2025HANSARDSentencing Council GuidelinesClearly, I cannot give a time or date in answer to my noble friend’s question about when the review will conclude. It is a complex issue, as he knows as well as I do. One very…03 Apr 2025HANSARDSentencing Council GuidelinesI agree with all the points the noble and learned Lord has made. It is for sentencers to sentence in a way that can be understood by the offender, the victim and the public. All…03 Apr 2025HANSARDSentencing Council GuidelinesMy Lords, I thank the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Southwark for those questions. Regarding the lack of sophisticated data, that is a fair point, and we are continuing to…03 Apr 2025HANSARDSentencing Council GuidelinesMy Lords, I thank the noble and learned Lord for the point he makes, and I accept that the reason the guidance included those specific phrases was to address the points made in…03 Apr 2025HANSARDSentencing Council GuidelinesMy Lords, I thank both noble Lords for the points they have made and the questions they have asked. To set the scene, we believe the guidelines, as formerly suggested, risk…03 Apr 2025HANSARDSentencing Council GuidelinesYes, I can give my noble friend all the reassurances that he seeks. I share the objectives that he alluded to. Clearly, we want a greater quantity and quality of pre-sentence…03 Apr 2025HANSARDSentencing Council GuidelinesI agree with the noble Lord’s point. As I pointed out, I ordered these reports hundreds of times in my previous role, and I invariably did it so that the sentencing bench could…03 Apr 2025HANSARDSentencing Council GuidelinesI thank the noble Lord for that point; he is absolutely right. There is a specific problem, and a Bill is currently before the House of Commons. I do not know the timetable for…03 Apr 2025HANSARDSentencing Council GuidelinesThe short answer is yes. We are certainly recruiting more probation officers, as I said in answer to an earlier question. Of course, judges are already 100% free to order…03 Apr 2025HANSARDCrown Court Criminal Case BacklogMy Lords, this has been a fantastic debate. It has been wide-ranging and extremely well informed. My noble friend Lady Longfield made an excellent maiden speech. I very much look…20 Mar 2025HANSARDOnline Procedure Rules (Specified Proceedings) Regulations 2025That the draft Regulations and Order laid before the House on 29 January and 6 February be approved. Relevant document: 18th Report from the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny…20 Mar 2025