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1,746 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing BillWe conduct this debate at a time when we are fighting a virus—an invisible enemy—and we are told perpetually that the virus might mutate, as viruses are inclined to do. Of course,…09 Jun 2020HANSARD Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing BillI do not know the answer to this, but I am extremely doubtful about whether there is any reliable correlation in respect of the known terrorists that have committed such awful…09 Jun 2020HANSARD Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing BillI am extremely grateful to the hon. Gentleman for giving way. He will know, as he said, that the Bill grows the capacity of the system to deliver extended sentences and cuts early…09 Jun 2020HANSARDDivorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill [Lords]I agree, and the Bill essentially turns divorce into an administrative formality, removing the breathing space that allows around 10% of divorces that are initiated to be averted.…08 Jun 2020HANSARDDivorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill [Lords]When my party won an 80-seat majority in the election, I knew that it was about much more than getting Brexit done; it was also about responding to the working-class community’s…08 Jun 2020HANSARDDivorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill [Lords]I am so pleased to see the right hon. Gentleman back on the Opposition Front Bench. He is a dear old friend, but he is quite wrong about this. These provisions declare at the…08 Jun 2020HANSARDAbortion (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020That is a question for the Minister, not me, because he will have those figures to hand, but he was the one who made great play of the consultation, not I. He cited the…08 Jun 2020HANSARDAbortion (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020I will not, because I am about to reach my exciting peroration, but I will happily send the hon. Gentleman the advice if he has not seen it already. On the grounds of devolution…08 Jun 2020HANSARDAbortion (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020Up until now, we have taken the view as a Parliament that, because abortion is a serious matter, there should be a structure and framework governing where it takes place that…08 Jun 2020HANSARDAbortion (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020I do not want to give way too often, because I know that others want to contribute, but I will happily give way to my hon. Friend.08 Jun 2020HANSARDImmigrationWith the post-covid economy facing unprecedented challenges and the prospect of job losses, in the same spirit that the Home Secretary showed in condemning this weekend’s wicked…08 Jun 2020HANSARDDivorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill [Lords]I am extremely grateful to my right hon. and learned Friend for giving way. The Law Commission also recommended that rather than reducing the time that people can get divorced…08 Jun 2020HANSARDAbortion (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020I wish to make some progress, and then I will happily give way again. The key thing is that the will of the people of Northern Ireland is clearly quite different from the view of…08 Jun 2020HANSARDAbortion (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020I am not sure that that is the view that the Northern Ireland Attorney General took. I refer my hon. Friend to his advice, of which I have a copy if he wants to read it in detail;…08 Jun 2020HANSARDAbortion (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020To be clear, when that decision was taken, Stormont was not sitting and there was no prospect of its doing so. We were not to know then—I am sure that my hon. Friend voted in good…08 Jun 2020HANSARDAbortion (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020This is a contentious issue. Abortion debates always arouse, stimulate, catalyse strong opinions. But this, in essence, is not about abortion. These regulations and this debate…08 Jun 2020HANSARDAbortion (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020That is true, too. It is also true that whereas an abortion can be carried out in England and Wales only by a doctor, the regulations extend that. The issue of home abortions,…08 Jun 2020HANSARDAbortion (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020In her advocacy of clarity and certainty, perhaps we can be clear and certain about those who were just named in the intervention by the hon. Member for Upper Bann. Can I ask a…08 Jun 2020HANSARDAbortion (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020On the issue of the legality of these regulations, I understand the Minister’s reticence about discussing the legal advice from our Attorney General, but he will know that…08 Jun 2020HANSARDDivorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill [Lords]I am grateful to my right hon. and learned Friend for giving way a second time. The acid test is: as a result of this legislation, will there be more divorces or fewer? It is my…08 Jun 2020