Contributions
2,140 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDomestic Abuse Bill (Fourth sitting)It comes down to accountability at the Dispatch Box. As I say, there is a diminishingly small likelihood of that happening, but that does not mean that we can ignore it. I speak…09 Jun 2020HANSARDDomestic Abuse Bill (Fourth sitting)Just to recap, I was setting out to the Committee that there are many forms of exploitation that can take place in all walks of life. I was giving the example of county line gangs…09 Jun 2020HANSARDDomestic Abuse Bill (Fourth sitting)I thank the hon. Gentleman for his constructive and considered comments on this matter. I thank him also for reminding me of the Investigatory Powers Bill, proceedings on which,…09 Jun 2020HANSARDDomestic Abuse Bill (Fourth sitting)Let us take a step back, because I would not want the hon. Gentleman to think that we appointed the designate commissioner on a whim. There is a very careful and methodical…09 Jun 2020HANSARDDomestic Abuse Bill (Fourth sitting)I again come back to the responsibility of the Minister making the appointment. It is a real responsibility; it is certainly something that weighed heavily on my shoulders. I am…09 Jun 2020HANSARDDomestic Abuse Bill (Fourth sitting)I do not think that anyone read into the hon. Gentleman’s constructive comments about this appointment anything other than that he was doing his job of scrutinising the wording of…09 Jun 2020HANSARDDomestic Abuse Bill (Fourth sitting)I appreciate that this debate has been probing clause 4 and the resources available to the commissioner. We have provided the commissioner with an overall annual budget of over £1…09 Jun 2020HANSARDDomestic Abuse Bill (Fourth sitting)I hope the hon. Gentleman will forgive me if I do not accept his premise in relation to the independent anti-slavery commissioner. I am happy to say that I have a good working…09 Jun 2020HANSARDDomestic Abuse Bill (Fourth sitting)The draft framework document we published alongside the Bill for colleagues to look at was produced in conjunction with and agreed with the commissioner. Therefore, some of the…09 Jun 2020HANSARDDomestic Abuse Bill (Fourth sitting)I assure the hon. Gentleman that appointments to the commissioner’s office—precisely because they are civil servants—will of comply with civil service terms and conditions and…09 Jun 2020HANSARDDomestic Abuse Bill (Fourth sitting)I do not propose to repeat what we have already said, because this theme runs through our discussions. We are conscious of the need for the commissioner not just to be…09 Jun 2020HANSARDDomestic Abuse Bill (Fourth sitting)indicated dissent.09 Jun 2020HANSARDDomestic Abuse Bill (Fourth sitting)I am going to tackle head-on the criticism about reports, but first I want to make it plain why the reports are so important and to explain how they come about. It is for the…09 Jun 2020HANSARDDomestic Abuse Bill (Fourth sitting)I thank the right hon. Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd for standing up for Wales. I do not want to get into a comparison of rural areas, but I do not have a court in my constituency…09 Jun 2020HANSARDDomestic Abuse Bill (Fourth sitting)My hon. Friend is absolutely right. It is about respecting the devolution settlement and being alive to different approaches that each may take, while also supporting each other…09 Jun 2020HANSARDDomestic Abuse Bill (Fourth sitting)I think that would be very unfair on the commissioner. Let us not forget that, alongside the advisory board, the commissioner will be required to establish a victims and survivors…09 Jun 2020HANSARDDomestic Abuse Bill (Third sitting)The hon. Lady probably does not know this, but she may be committing a parliamentary first. The old hands that have previously sat on Bill Committees will know that part of a…09 Jun 2020HANSARDDomestic Abuse Bill (Third sitting)Very much so. May I postpone my answer until we debate the amendment that the hon. Lady has tabled on Welsh devolution, so that I can address the point about clause 11? We are…09 Jun 2020HANSARDDomestic Abuse Bill (Third sitting)At the risk of turning into a sketch from “The Two Ronnies”, I am told that we will be consulting Welsh Ministers on the precise point raised by the right hon. Member for Dwyfor…09 Jun 2020HANSARDDomestic Abuse Bill (Third sitting)I do. I am going to complete the journey, because I suspect that where I end up will, I hope, answer some of those concerns. I take on board carefully the views of children’s…09 Jun 2020