"I thank the Minister and other noble Lords for their contributions. These amendments are designed to ensure that dangerous or repeat offenders cannot avoid custody due to a general presumption of suspension.
I hear what the Minister said about the discretion of the independent judiciary, but it seems to me …..." Lord Keen of Elie - View Speech
"My Lords, Clause 3 is of course a novel sentencing tool, and it is entirely correct that the Committee should probe its design with some care. Many of the amendments before us seek reassurance that the scheme will be fair and proportionate, and indeed that it will be workable in …..." Lord Keen of Elie - View Speech
"My Lords, we on these Benches fully support the principle that victims’ rights, safety and experiences must be considered. Included already in the statutory purposes of sentencing is the protection of the public. In practice, courts make an effort to take victims’ interests into account. The explicit addition to Clause …..." Lord Keen of Elie - View Speech
"My Lords, this amendment would require the Secretary of State to undertake a full assessment of how the courts are using their existing powers to make parenting and financial orders for young offenders. These powers are already available under the Sentencing Code but in practice are used far less than …..." Lord Keen of Elie - View Speech
"Does the Minister acknowledge that there has been a very striking decline in the use of parenting and financial orders since 2010?..." Lord Keen of Elie - View Speech
"I am obliged to the Minister for getting on and then getting off this topic. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment...." Lord Keen of Elie - View Speech
"My Lords, repeated reference has already been made to the independence of the judiciary and to the need to allow the judiciary full discretion in the matter of sentencing, but the provisions in the Bill at Clauses 11 and 12 erode these principles and put the whole issue at risk. …..." Lord Keen of Elie - View Speech
"I thank the Minister for his answer and the noble Lord, Lord Beith, for his contribution. I fear that the Minister is not properly distinguishing between issues of rehabilitation and issues of sentencing. There is a matter of principle that has to be addressed in this context, and there is …..." Lord Keen of Elie - View Speech