Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Beith Excerpts

Tuesday 10th July 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Harper]

My understanding is that discussions are under way on that point, but that the parties in Northern Ireland have not been able to reach a consensus. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland will continue to have discussions, but he wants to reach a consensus among the parties in Northern Ireland before making progress.

[Sir Alan Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed) (LD)]

Is it not a fundamental right of the British people to elect those who make our laws? Is it not a reasonable expectation that Parliament, once it has agreed that principle, will not allow it to be prevented by delay?

[Mr Harper]

I very much agree with my right hon. Friend. Later today, I will have the opportunity to set out my views at greater length, which I hope the House will find interesting.

--- Later in debate ---

[Sir Alan Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed) (LD)]

When fast-track courts were used following the riots, there was a feeling among magistrates that district judges had been used extensively and the lay magistracy had not been used as much as it could have been. Will that happen in Olympic cases, or is the Solicitor-General looking carefully at this?