Royal Commission on Criminal Justice Debate

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Department: Scotland Office

Royal Commission on Criminal Justice

Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede Excerpts
Wednesday 15th July 2020

(4 years, 1 month ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Keen of Elie Portrait Lord Keen of Elie
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My Lords, at this time we are not intending to make any decision with respect to smaller juries.

Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede Portrait Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede (Lab) [V]
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My Lords, does the Minister agree that there is a gross imbalance between rising levels of reported crime and a fall in prosecutions to a 50-year low, after a decade of cuts in the police, forensic services and the CPS? Can the Minister say whether the royal commission will consider the growing use of out-of-court disposals when it looks at the workings of the criminal justice system?

Lord Keen of Elie Portrait Lord Keen of Elie
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My Lords, we have previously announced increases in the provision for police numbers. With regard to the royal commission, the terms of reference have not yet been finalised; I am therefore not in a position to confirm the precise terms.