Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Robert Buckland and Jeff Smith

Tuesday 14th September 2021 Commons Chamber

[Robert Buckland]

My hon. Friend has considerable professional experience as a family lawyer of distinction, and I am more than happy to speak to her. It sounds as if that report complements the family harm report that was published earlier this year and the excellent work that is being done by senior judiciary in the family division to minimise the fight when it comes to the future of our children.

[Jeff Smith (Manchester, Withington) (Lab)]

T10. The Law Commission is currently conducting an important review of intimate-image abuse that will, I hope, recommend making it an offence for a person to take photographs of someone breastfeeding without their consent. When does the Secretary of State expect that report to be published? Perhaps more importantly, what assurance can he provide that the report’s recommendations will be given timely, swift consideration and that action will be taken?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Robert Buckland and Jeff Smith

Tuesday 8th December 2020 Commons Chamber

[Robert Buckland]

I think perhaps the right hon. Gentleman is to be forgiven for his descent into hyperbole when it comes to the ambit of this review. It is all about the mechanism, and comments about fundamental rights being affected are way wide of the mark. First, with regard to the process in the review, it is a matter for the review as to what precise submissions it publishes, but I can assure him that the outcome of the review and the Government’s position will of course be published in full, so that he will be able and others will be able to digest it and we will be able to debate the matter.

[Jeff Smith (Manchester, Withington) (Lab)]

What progress he has made on tackling backlogs in HM Courts and Tribunals Service.

Withdrawal Agreement: Legal Advice

Debate between Robert Buckland and Jeff Smith

Thursday 29th November 2018 Commons Chamber

[The Solicitor General]

My hon. Friend is right—the information becomes useless, actually, if that is the case. There are good reasons why privilege exists, but over and above that, there are constitutional reasons why the Law Officers’ permission has to be sought if, first, the fact that advice might or might not have been given is to be disclosed, and secondly, the content of any such advice is to be disclosed.

[Jeff Smith (Manchester, Withington) (Lab)]

The Government will have discharged their duty to the House not when the Attorney General makes his statement, but when they publish the full and final legal advice that the House has requested and voted for. Is that not what he should do on Monday?

[The Solicitor General]

I ask the hon. Gentleman to look at the document that is published, to hear the Attorney General and to come to any view that he may think is appropriate after that.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Robert Buckland and Jeff Smith

Thursday 14th January 2016 Commons Chamber

[The Solicitor General]

I am very grateful to the hon. Gentleman for raising the issue of male victims. About 15% of domestic abuse victims are, indeed, men, and proper emphasis is being placed on the need to encourage men to come forward. It is not a badge of shame for someone to admit that they are a male victim of domestic abuse, and that message needs to be heard loud and clear throughout the length and breadth of the kingdom.

[Jeff Smith (Manchester, Withington) (Lab)]

2. Whether he has had discussions with the Prime Minister on the legal form of the UK’s renegotiation deal with the EU.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Robert Buckland and Jeff Smith

Thursday 26th November 2015 Commons Chamber

[The Solicitor General]

My hon. Friend speaks with experience from her practice in criminal law. I was a member of the all-party group on stalking and harassment, together with Mr Elfyn Llwyd, the former Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, and we said then it was vital that the law be used to its full extent. There is a non-exhaustive list of types of stalking behaviour. This means that prosecutors and the police should be looking at such cases in a wide way and applying the full extent of the law wherever appropriate.

[Jeff Smith (Manchester, Withington) (Lab)]

6. What discussions he has had with his ministerial colleagues on developing proposals for reform of the Human Rights Act 1998.