Oral Answers to Questions

Helen Jones Excerpts

Tuesday 16th October 2012 Commons Chamber

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

The hon. Gentleman and I have spoken and I pay tribute to him for his dogged sincerity and commitment to a radical, California-style model of recall. We have looked at it and, as he knows—we have discussed it—we have concerns about the danger of such a model of recall becoming a kangaroo-court process. There need to be some checks and balances. We recently received the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee’s report, which makes certain observations and, indeed, strong criticisms of our approach, and we are considering our response.

[Helen Jones (Warrington North) (Lab)]

T7. The Deputy Prime Minister has said that he will not support the implementation of the boundary proposals. Will he clarify whether that means he will vote against them or abstain?

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

Against.

--- Later in debate ---

[Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con)]

1. What steps he is taking following the publication of the report of the Hillsborough independent panel in September 2012.

[Helen Jones (Warrington North) (Lab)]

3. What recent steps he has taken to ensure that the Hillsborough families receive justice.

[Alison McGovern (Wirral South) (Lab)]

4. What recent steps he has taken to ensure that the Hillsborough families receive justice.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Attorney-General]

I need to complete my consideration of the evidence and, as I have said, I need to provide the families with the opportunity to make representations, and to consider any representations that are made. I need to complete my consideration of the legal issues, and I then need to make the application to the Court. When the case is heard will be a matter for the Court’s listings. It is very difficult for me to give a precise timetable for my hon. Friend; I will move as quickly as I can.

[Helen Jones]

I say a genuine thank you to the Attorney-General for what he has announced today. The families who have waited so long for justice are at least now within reach of that justice. Will he assure the House that sufficient resources will be made available so that work on getting a new inquest can proceed as quickly as possible? Can he say whether that inquest will be held in Liverpool, as the families have always requested?

[The Attorney-General]

I am satisfied that there will be sufficient resources to take this forward. The venue of any eventual hearing is not really a matter for me. Should—I stress this for the House—the application that I make to the Court be successful, it will be for the Court and the coroner to decide where the inquests take place. I am sure that representations can then be made in respect of that, but it is not my decision.