"My Lords, before we begin this debate, I remind the House that the advisory speaking time is strictly four minutes for Back-Bench contributions...." Baroness Curran - View Speech
"My Lords, this Government acknowledge there is a live debate about the dual role of the Lord Advocate in Scotland. The Scottish Labour manifesto in 2024 committed to splitting the role of legal adviser to the Scottish Government and head of the system of criminal prosecutions in Scotland, and that …..." Baroness Curran - View Speech
"I thank the noble Lord and recognise his position as a former Scotland Office Minister and his knowledge and experience on this matter. He is of course right to emphasise that this has become a very significant issue of public debate in Scotland at the moment, given very high-profile criminal …..." Baroness Curran - View Speech
"I thank my noble friend for that question—I think. Of course, he is right on so many things, and I will listen very closely to what he has to say. He makes reference to the Peter Murrell case. Here, I must emphasise to noble Lords that this is a matter …..." Baroness Curran - View Speech
"I recognise the depth of the argument that the noble Lord has put forward and understand the issues at stake, which are live in Scotland. We also have to acknowledge that this has implications for the Scottish Government, because they are responsible for the justice system and for prosecutions in …..." Baroness Curran - View Speech
"What an interesting suggestion. I thank the noble Earl for putting that forward. I will take that back to the department. I draw his attention to the Scottish Government-commissioned McMillan report which looked into these roles. It was a very limited report and was not required to make any recommendations, …..." Baroness Curran - View Speech
"I pay tribute to the noble Baroness as well, who commands great respect in Scotland across the political divide. Her comments therefore are of great significance. I repeat that I will take that back, because if someone of her standing is making that point, I regard that as significant...." Baroness Curran - View Speech
"Again, as a former Secretary of State for Scotland, I pay tribute to the work of the noble Lord and recognise his status within these discussions. I would not want to be in a position where I contradict many of the things that I have recently said about Scottish politics, …..." Baroness Curran - View Speech
"My noble friend the Minister is clearly aware of the urgency of this situation and the demands across government that we must respond to it. The sector is now increasingly asking government to adopt a whole-of-government approach to develop a more resilient society. What thinking is taking place in government …..." Baroness Curran - View Speech
"I thank my noble friend for that Answer. Will he join me in sending warmest wishes to Sir David Attenborough on his 100th birthday? I am sure that all in this House would pay tribute to the extraordinary contribution of Sir David to our understanding of the natural world, but …..." Baroness Curran - View Speech