Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 02 Dec 2025
Criminal Court Reform
"My Lords, as a former criminal barrister, albeit nothing like as successful as the noble Baroness was, I put on record my support for the noble and learned Lord, Lord Keen, and for the noble Lord, Lord Boateng. The Minister talked about the Government going ahead with “heavy investment” in …..."Lord Bellingham - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 18 May 2021
Queen’s Speech
"My Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the noble Lord, Lord Foster, and I congratulate the two noble Baronesses on their superb maiden speeches, which were a delight to listen to.
I welcome the overall thrust of the Queen’s Speech, and I thought the Minister was extremely impressive in …..."Lord Bellingham - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Thu 01 Nov 2018
Future of Legal Aid
"I think the hon. Member for Hammersmith (Andy Slaughter) has prompted an intervention...."Lord Bellingham - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 09 Oct 2018
Oral Answers to Questions
"8. What steps the Government are taking to prevent the use of mobile phones in prisons. ..."Lord Bellingham - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 09 Oct 2018
Oral Answers to Questions
"I thank the Minister for that helpful reply. He obviously is aware that illegal mobile phones in cells are currently being used for drug trafficking, intimidating witnesses and other criminal activity. Can he make it 100% crystal clear that under no circumstances will he or the Secretary of State ever …..."Lord Bellingham - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 10 Jul 2018
Oral Answers to Questions
"18. What steps the Government are taking to tackle the use of drones over prisons. ..."Lord Bellingham - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 10 Jul 2018
Oral Answers to Questions
"I thank the Minister for taking the issue suitably seriously. Is he aware of a particular issue in a number of prisons, including Wayland prison in Norfolk, where the drone flyers have been acting with impunity and have become ever more brazen in their conduct? Will the Minister tell the …..."Lord Bellingham - View Speech
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Written Question
Monday 18th June 2018
Asked by:
Lord Bellingham (Conservative - Life peer)
Question
to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make an assessment of the merits of the recommendations of the June 2018 report of the Centre for Social Justice, Desperate for a fix: using shop theft and a Second Chance Programme to get tough on the causes of prolific drug-addicted offending.
Answered by Edward Argar
The MoJ is committed to ensuring the most vulnerable offenders, including those with prolific drug addictions, are able to access appropriate support at the right time. We are currently reviewing the recommendations of the Centre for Social Justice report.
There is ongoing work to help address the underlying needs of offenders which can contribute to offending behaviour. This includes diverting offenders away from custody where appropriate. We continue to support NHS England’s roll out of Liaison and Diversion services, which were operating across 82% of the country at the end of March 2018, with full rollout expected by 2020/21.
We are also working with the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and Public Health England to develop a protocol to improve the uptake of community sentences with treatment requirements (CSTRs). This will ensure pathways into appropriate treatment are in place, and support greater use of CSTRs, including Drug Rehabilitation Requirements (DRRs). The protocol works as a diversion from custody and aims to improve health outcomes and reduce reoffending.
We recognise female offenders often commit non-violent, low-level but persistent offences, such as shop theft and understand that drug addictions often contribute to offending behaviour. In 2017, almost half (47%) of women sentenced to a short custodial sentence had committed shop theft. A 2005/06 MOJ survey showed that female prisoners were more likely to report using Class A drugs in the four weeks before custody (58% compared with 43% of male prisoners). We are committed to addressing the underlying causes of female offending and reoffending, and are developing a Female Offender Strategy. We will publish as soon as we are able to do so.
Written Question
Monday 18th June 2018
Asked by:
Lord Bellingham (Conservative - Life peer)
Question
to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make an assessment of the merits of commencing Section 151 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 to allow courts to use community orders instead of fines for low-level offences by repeat offenders.
Answered by Rory Stewart
There are no current plans to commence Section 151 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003. Section 143(2) of that Act requires courts to treat previous convictions as an aggravating factor when sentencing.
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 02 May 2018
Prison Officers: Working Conditions
"I congratulate the Minister on an outstanding speech, made just from schematic light notes.
Question put and agreed to...."Lord Bellingham - View Speech
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