Royal Charter on Press Conduct

Debate between Lord Garnier and Peter Bone

Monday 18th March 2013 Commons Chamber

[Sir Edward Garnier]

The short answer is that I do not know, but I would hazard a guess that if a signed-up member, which would therefore be susceptible to the jurisdiction of the body, failed to do what the body commanded, it would be in breach of contract, and arrangements would be put in place to ensure either that the contract was complied with or that damages were payable for breach of contract. Someone might have to litigate the breach of contract, but the system might contain fail-safe measures allowing the independent body to revisit the matter and deal with the malefactor in some preordained, but sensible, way.

[Mr Bone]

Will my hon. and learned Friend give way?

[Sir Edward Garnier]

I will take this interjection, but I am beginning to waffle, and it is high time I sat down.

[Mr Bone]

Is not one of the problems with this process that we have not had time to read and prepare for the detailed issues, such as the ones we have just been discussing? That is a flaw in the process and could lead to bad legislation.

[Sir Edward Garnier]

I am afraid that that is just one of the things we have to live with, and if we cannot cope with it, we are probably in the wrong place. I noticed that the hon. Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant) was able to speak for 12 fluent minutes without having seen the motion or read the charter—but then he might have prepared something earlier.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Garnier and Peter Bone

Tuesday 5th July 2011 Commons Chamber

[The Solicitor-General]

As I said in answer to the hon. Member for Linlithgow and East Falkirk (Michael Connarty), and in connection with an earlier question, the Crown Prosecution Service public policy statement makes it clear that those who are trafficked—those who are victims of the trafficking—should not be prosecuted.

[Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con)]

We are having rather lovely weather at the moment, and this spring seems to be going on for a very long time. Did the Solicitor-General let it slip that spring was going to end next week, and are we actually going to see the trafficking policy next week? If so, can he confirm that an oral statement will be given, rather than a written one?

[The Solicitor-General]

On the latter point I cannot give a confirmation, but on the earlier point I think I can.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Garnier and Peter Bone

Tuesday 1st March 2011 Commons Chamber

[The Solicitor-General]

Yes.

[Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con)]

Will the Attorney-General meet the officers of the all-party group on human trafficking, because one thing we have learned is that there is a considerable problem in prosecuting human trafficking cases and prosecutors often decide to pursue a lesser offence as it is easier to get a conviction?