Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Justice

Oral Answers to Questions

Duncan Hames Excerpts
Tuesday 20th July 2010

(13 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Clarke of Nottingham Portrait Mr Kenneth Clarke
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I will certainly follow up that matter as I did not hear the “File on 4” programme. Obviously, the Isle of Man has a good, functioning system of justice and we can confidently expect it to enforce criminal law and international sanctions to the standards that we would expect. However, I will ensure that we contact the Isle of Man to ensure that everything that can properly be done is being done to ensure that no breach of international sanctions that could be prevented is being allowed to go ahead.

Duncan Hames Portrait Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD)
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In the light of the Government’s review of non-departmental public bodies, what plans does the Justice Secretary have for the future of the Office of the Public Guardian?

Lord Clarke of Nottingham Portrait Mr Clarke
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We are reviewing it, although we have no immediate intentions that we are withholding. We are looking across the whole field of the Department, and we will reduce the number of so-called arm’s length bodies, quangos and agencies. The Office of the Public Guardian carries out quite an important function, however, so I do not think that we will make any changes there unless we are quite confident that its key responsibilities can be properly discharged.