Contributions
1,269 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTopical QuestionsI am always keen, as the hon. Gentleman knows, to make sure that the law in England and Wales is consistent. I will, of course, look carefully at that particular issue. The report…14 Sept 2021HANSARDThe Rule of LawI am afraid that that is emblematic of the problem that we are facing. Dressing up legitimate political debate as somehow a direct criticism of our adherence to the rule of law…14 Sept 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy right hon. Friend will appreciate that there are ongoing proceedings, including in the civil courts, and the extradition proceedings may be subject to further appeals, so it…14 Sept 2021HANSARDThe Rule of LawI think the right hon. Gentleman will find that, across the piece, the commentary that has followed my speech and the introduction of the Judicial Review and Courts Bill has…14 Sept 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy hon. Friend was himself a practitioner of many years’ standing. I assure him that we are using every tool available—including remote hearings, bringing back judges who have…14 Sept 2021HANSARDBeating Crime PlanI speak regularly with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on the actions our Departments are taking to beat crime. Our joint approach will protect the law-abiding majority,…14 Sept 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsFurther to that point of order, Mr Speaker. I am happy to correct the record and, of course, to apologise to the right hon. Gentleman. I remind him that I am more than happy to…14 Sept 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsI will of course make sure that my diary is adjusted so that I can do that. The hon. and learned Lady can rest assured that I am getting emails from her colleagues directly to my…14 Sept 2021HANSARDBeating Crime PlanWell, we are. The announcement of a replacement of the Action Fraud system was made some time ago. That represents just the sharp end of the Government’s response to this growing…14 Sept 2021HANSARDBeating Crime PlanI am more than happy to join in that praise. My hon. Friend is right to highlight the local work that has been going on in Wrexham and in Wales. As announced in our beating crime…14 Sept 2021HANSARDBeating Crime PlanI am grateful to my hon. Friend, who speaks passionately for his community. He knows of course that sentencing guidelines are a matter for the independent Sentencing Council.…14 Sept 2021HANSARDPet TheftI reassure my hon. Friend that we are already working on the new proposed offence of pet abduction and that work is already under way with many of the other recommendations…14 Sept 2021HANSARDPet TheftThe Government recognise the deep distress that is caused when a pet is stolen, and the pet theft taskforce carried out a thorough investigation of this issue. Its excellent…14 Sept 2021HANSARDPet TheftMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. The use of the term “abduction” is a crucial reflection of the fact that these are sentient beings; they are not mere chattels or goods. The…14 Sept 2021HANSARDJudges and Legal Professionals: AfghanistanI am sorry, but the right hon. Gentleman has not been in touch with me once about these matters directly. I have been working directly with the legal sector, the Bar Council and…14 Sept 2021HANSARDAnti-competitive Behaviour: Small BusinessesThe Government are currently consulting on a range of reforms to competition and policy in order to more effectively and swiftly address anti-competitive behaviour. The…14 Sept 2021HANSARDPet TheftI am always grateful for the hon. Gentleman’s words of wisdom, but I will just correct him in this respect: there was a general agreement that the use of theft legislation to deal…14 Sept 2021HANSARDPet TheftMy hon. Friend hits the nail on the head. The idea that buying an animal by the side of the road or in a garage forecourt for cash is somehow legitimate trade is clearly wrong. I…14 Sept 2021HANSARDJudges and Legal Professionals: AfghanistanLet me deal with the specific issue of judges and other lawyers in Afghanistan, because that is what I am directly involved with. Yesterday, the Afghan citizens resettlement…14 Sept 2021HANSARDAnti-competitive Behaviour: Small BusinessesI will be as brief as I can, Mr Speaker. We have read my hon. Friend’s paper with great interest. With respect, I do not think that the way forward is to create a further tier of…14 Sept 2021