Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of giving judges the power to compel offenders to appear in court for sentencing hearing for offences (a) that are punishable with imprisonment for 14 years or more and (b) where a life sentence (i) could or (ii) must be imposed.

The Government is committed to legislating to enhance court powers to require offenders to attend their sentencing hearings. This precise measure will be included in the Victims, Courts and Public Protection Bill which the Government intends to introduce in the first parliamentary session.

We are currently considering the policy options for delivering these measures. Further details will be made available as part of the Bill’s introduction into Parliament.