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Written Question
Berwyn Prison
Wednesday 27th July 2016

Asked by: Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what provisions are being made at HM Prison Berwyn to meet the reasonable requirements of Welsh-speaking prisoners.

Answered by Lord Keen of Elie - Shadow Minister (Justice)

It is a requirement that all staff at HMP Berwyn must show an understanding of the importance of the Welsh language.

All prisoners at HMP Berwyn will have access to welsh speaking staff and all material will be bilingual. To help support this, we are currently arranging courses for our staff to ensure they have a good understanding of Wales and working in the Welsh context, which includes a section on language.

Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 12 Apr 2016
Prisoners: Foreign Nationals

"My Lords, in view of the totally unsatisfactory ongoing position with regard to IPP prisoners, will the Minister convey to the Secretary of State that if the Secretary of State is not willing to take and use the powers at his disposal, he should consider appointing a senior judge to …..."
Lord Wigley - View Speech

View all Lord Wigley (PC - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Prisoners: Foreign Nationals
Written Question
Criminal Proceedings: Legal Aid Scheme
Wednesday 17th February 2016

Asked by: Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what research they have undertaken into the number of legal practitioners who will still be able to provide criminal legal aid services in England and Wales in the light of the decision to abandon proposals to reduce significantly the number of duty solicitors in those countries.

Answered by Lord Keen of Elie - Shadow Minister (Justice)

All organisations who bid for own client contracts in 2015 will have the opportunity to bid for criminal legal aid work when we invite applications for replacement contracts later in the year. As my colleague, Lord Faulks, told the House on 28 January, a process of natural consolidation is already taking place in the criminal legal aid market, following the reduction in crime and natural competition.

Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 18 Nov 2015
European Union Referendum Bill

"My Lords, I tabled a detailed amendment in Committee to make this provision, but I am very happy indeed to support the amendment moved by the noble Baroness.

Against the background of the constitutional referendum in Scotland last year, it strikes me that a principle has been established that we …..."
Lord Wigley - View Speech

View all Lord Wigley (PC - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: European Union Referendum Bill
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 02 Nov 2015
European Union Referendum Bill

"My Lords, I support the noble Lord, Lord Hannay. I cannot see how any reasonable person could possibly object to the amendment, in terms of getting the information that is needed to enable people to come to a balanced decision. Of course, whichever way they vote, the information should be …..."
Lord Wigley - View Speech

View all Lord Wigley (PC - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: European Union Referendum Bill
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 02 Nov 2015
European Union Referendum Bill

"That is, indeed, a central question. However, it is not a matter on which we should make an assumption. We should be told whether or not that will be the case...."
Lord Wigley - View Speech

View all Lord Wigley (PC - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: European Union Referendum Bill
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 02 Nov 2015
European Union Referendum Bill

"Does the noble Lord not accept that the Prime Minister himself, when he comes to a judgment on whether to recommend the package he will have renegotiated, will be making some assessments—presumably quantifiable—of the implications of that renegotiation? Is it not reasonable that those who are asked to vote on …..."
Lord Wigley - View Speech

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Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 02 Nov 2015
European Union Referendum Bill

"I thank the noble Baroness for the attention she is giving this. If the Government were unable, after considering this matter, to give a commitment to bringing reports on structural funds and agriculture—which my two amendments address—would she rule out the right of the National Assembly for Wales to bring …..."
Lord Wigley - View Speech

View all Lord Wigley (PC - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: European Union Referendum Bill
Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 28 Oct 2015
European Union Referendum Bill

"My Lords, I shall speak to Amendments 5, 6 and 7, which are grouped—again, rather strangely—with the amendments of the noble Lord, Lord Hamilton. I suppose it is to do with the wording, and that is the common thread.

Before going into detail, perhaps I may note that I did …..."
Lord Wigley - View Speech

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Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 28 Oct 2015
European Union Referendum Bill

"Obviously I shall not chase this matter for any length of time, but has the noble Baroness considered the methodology that may have been used by the Electoral Commission? She is putting all her eggs in that basket and, if there were any question as to the methodology, the conclusions …..."
Lord Wigley - View Speech

View all Lord Wigley (PC - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: European Union Referendum Bill