Contributions
342 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDKing’s SpeechMy Lords, it is always a pleasure to follow a fellow Petrean, the noble Lord, Lord Howard of Lympne, who I felt was in an almost emollient mood. Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Minister…21 May 2026HANSARDAlleged Spying Case: Role of Attorney-General’s OfficeMy Lords, some 50 years ago last month, I was junior in a trial that took place at Mold Crown Court, prosecuted by the then Attorney-General, Sam Silkin—they earned their spurs in…27 Oct 2025HANSARDDaesh Crimes: Accountability (JCHR Report)My Lords, I was devastated to see the injuries that the noble Lord, Lord Alton, has suffered—he sent me a photograph. I send him my very best for a swift recovery. I thank the…09 Sept 2025HANSARDFemale Genital MutilationMy Lords—16 Jul 2025HANSARDFemale Genital MutilationDoes the noble and learned Lord agree that, as part of the proposed curriculum review in schools, it should be made clear to young parents of the future that FGM is a serious…16 Jul 2025HANSARDTrial by Jury: Proposed RestrictionsMy Lords, we are not short of jurors; the whole adult population can serve in a jury. We are short of judges, of prosecuting and defence barristers and of courts that are fit for…14 Jul 2025HANSARDCriminal Justice Act 2003 (Suitability for Fixed Term Recall) Order 2025My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for outlining this SI. Both the Prison Service and the Probation Service are in a mess. There is no point in wasting time apportioning…01 Jul 2025HANSARDCriminal Justice Act 2003 (Suitability for Fixed Term Recall) Order 2025I support the noble and learned Lord in that. There are recalls for failure to keep appointments, such as tagging appointments. If the Minister were to lay down a rule that people…01 Jul 2025HANSARDStatutory Instruments (Amendment) Bill [HL]I beg to move.13 Jun 2025HANSARDStatutory Instruments (Amendment) Bill [HL]That the Bill do now pass.13 Jun 2025HANSARDStatutory Instruments (Amendment) Bill [HL]I am most grateful to the Minister and those who have spoken for the kind words that have been said.13 Jun 2025HANSARDSentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) BillMy Lords, I realise that it is now 50 years since I was appointed as an assistant recorder; I was involved in sentencing for a very long time until I finally gave up. I later…19 May 2025HANSARDSentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) BillThe Lammy report made it clear that there is inequality for certain groups because of their particular characteristics. My noble friend Lady Bakewell referred to the Gypsies. I…19 May 2025HANSARDSentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) BillThere is no research, and this Bill has been brought forward on a premise that, from my experience, is wrong. It is that the provision of a pre-sentence report means that the…19 May 2025HANSARDGovernance of the Union (Constitution Committee Report)My Lords, it seems to be my turn. I was a member of the Constitution Committee under our excellent chair, the noble Baroness, Lady Drake. I thank her for the way in which she…28 Apr 2025HANSARDCrown Court Criminal Case BacklogMy Lords, from these Benches, I welcome the noble Baroness, Lady Longfield, to her place and congratulate her on an excellent maiden speech; we look forward to hearing more from…20 Mar 2025HANSARDEuropean Convention on Human Rights: 75th AnniversaryMy Lords, I congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Alton, on his excellent opening to this very important debate. When Ernest Davies, the Member of Parliament, signed the convention on…20 Mar 2025HANSARDStatutory Instruments (Amendment) Bill [HL]My Lords, I am most grateful to both the noble Lord, Lord Hunt, and the noble and learned Lord, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, for their support. They have really said everything that I…14 Mar 2025HANSARDStatutory Instruments (Amendment) Bill [HL]My Lords, my objection to this amendment is that it simply does not make sense. We cannot, in the machinery that is set out in my Bill, conceivably exchange the position of the…14 Mar 2025HANSARDStatutory Instruments (Amendment) Bill [HL]My Lords, the motivation for this proposal came from a very weary colleague who was fed up with sitting in the Moses Room while instruments were brought back to the Grand…14 Mar 2025