Contributions
1,269 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPrison ViolenceI pay tribute to the right hon. Lady for taking part in that important and valuable scheme. HMP Swansea was the very first prison I went into, nearly 30 years ago, and I pay…04 Jun 2019HANSARDPrison ViolenceMy hon. Friend is quite right to chart the issues at HMP Lewes. I am glad to say that the prison is now fully staffed and performance has begun to improve in the second half of…04 Jun 2019HANSARDPrison ViolenceI know from my previous role that the hon. Gentleman takes a keen interest in criminal justice issues in his city. I share the same commitment as my predecessor to reducing…04 Jun 2019HANSARDSentencing CodeI am today announcing the Government’s interim response to the Law Commission’s report on the Sentencing Code, published on 22 November 2018. The interim response can be found at:…22 May 2019HANSARDPrisons and ProbationIt is a pleasure, after only two working days in office, to close this important debate and to make my first speech to this House as Minister of State for Justice. I heard a call…14 May 2019HANSARDPrisons and ProbationI cannot, because time does not permit me to do so. I am under some pressure and I wish to deal with Members’ contributions. My hon. Friend the Member for North Dorset (Simon…14 May 2019HANSARDPrisons and ProbationI hear the hon. Lady, and I share her sense of urgency. I cannot promise a specific timescale, but, as a former Solicitor General, I have considerable experience of dealing with…14 May 2019HANSARDPrisons and ProbationI am grateful to my right hon. Friend, and of course I am familiar with the CRC to which he refers. It is an example of how best practice has been achieved, and it shows excellent…14 May 2019HANSARDPrisons and ProbationLet me develop my points, and I will give way in a moment. My right hon. Friend the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice has proposed a radical, evidence-based…14 May 2019HANSARDPrisons and ProbationAs a proud Welshman, I have a long and deep interest in such issues, and I think greater unity is the way forward. Many excellent lessons have been learned from the Welsh…14 May 2019HANSARDSexual OffencesThe CPS has undertaken extensive work to ensure that specialist prosecutors are fully equipped to deal with the particular complexities of such cases, and I engage with it…11 Apr 2019HANSARDCPS: Mental HealthI welcome the hon. Lady’s reference to ADHD. In my professional experience, that condition, connected with communication disorder, is often very prevalent among young offenders in…11 Apr 2019HANSARDSexual OffencesThe hon. Gentleman has raised an important point. A natural and anxious debate is taking place about disclosure, but I can reassure the hon. Gentleman—and, indeed, all…11 Apr 2019HANSARDSexual OffencesI pay tribute to the hon. Lady for the work that she has done on this issue in the past. She is absolutely right to talk about the input of the Department for Education. I was…11 Apr 2019HANSARDSocial MediaThe hon. Gentleman raises an important point. He will be happy to know that I have set up a special point of contact with each of those social media companies so that if an issue…11 Apr 2019HANSARDSexual OffencesI am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising that issue with me. I regrettably have not had time to consider that Bill, but everyone in the House can agree that those who act…11 Apr 2019HANSARDSexual OffencesMy right hon. Friend is right to raise this issue. She will be glad to know that, as part of the work that my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney General and I have done to…11 Apr 2019HANSARDSocial MediaI do sometimes wonder. It should be as plain as a pikestaff to anyone that the criminal trial process has to have integrity and be based on the evidence heard in court. That is…11 Apr 2019HANSARDSocial MediaThe response to the call for evidence on the impact of social media on the administration of justice was published on 5 March this year. We concluded that, whereas at present…11 Apr 2019HANSARDCPS: Mental HealthMy hon. Friend, who has a considerable and distinguished history with regard to the prosecution of serious offences at the Bar, will know that it is vital for experts in the field…11 Apr 2019