Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Young of Cookham and Oliver Colvile

Tuesday 14th October 2014 Commons Chamber

[Sir George Young (North West Hampshire) (Con)]

6. If he will take steps to raise awareness among jurors of the law relating to contempt of court.

[Oliver Colvile (Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport) (Con)]

7. If he will take steps to raise awareness among jurors of the law relating to contempt of court.

[The Attorney-General (Jeremy Wright)]

The Criminal Justice and Courts Bill, which is currently being considered in another place, will make it a criminal offence for jurors to engage in conduct which is currently a contempt of court. By making juror misconduct a criminal offence, it will reinforce the message that such behaviour is unacceptable and threatens trial by jury.

Business of the House

Debate between Lord Young of Cookham and Oliver Colvile

Thursday 17th May 2012 Commons Chamber

[Sir George Young]

The BBC is an independent organisation and is responsible for allocating its funds and finding savings. If the hon. Lady wants to apply to the Backbench Business Committee for a debate on how the BBC is organised, I am sure she will get a warm reception from its newly elected members.

[Oliver Colvile (Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport) (Con)]

Earlier this week, the all-party group on pharmacy published a report after a six-month inquiry into prescription medicine shortages. The difficulty is that patients cannot always get them. May we have a debate, or at least a ministerial statement, to find out what the Government propose to do about this awful situation?

[Sir George Young]

I applaud my hon. Friend’s work as vice-chairman of the all-party group, which I understand was founded by the Deputy Leader of the House. About 900 million prescriptions are issued each year for about 16,000 medicines, some of which, as my hon. Friend said, are in short supply. The Government will want to respond to the report. Contingency arrangements are in place whereby if a pharmacy cannot get a medicine from the wholesaler, it can go direct to the supplier. We do all that we can to prevent shortages, but as I said, we will want to respond to the suggestions in his report.

Business of the House

Debate between Lord Young of Cookham and Oliver Colvile

Thursday 13th October 2011 Commons Chamber

[Oliver Colvile (Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport) (Con)]

Would my right hon. Friend be willing to have a debate on mental health issues for young people? According to today’s edition of the Plymouth Herald, a very good organ in my constituency:

“Hundreds of vulnerable children in Plymouth are having to wait months for mental health treatment”,

and 90 have had to wait beyond the 18 weeks allowed.

[Sir George Young]

I understand my hon. Friend’s concern. Funding for child and adolescent mental health services for local authorities has been maintained and is included within funding provided for ongoing personal social services. That funding is due to rise in line with inflation through to 2014-15, but it is for commissioners at a local level to decide how best to spend the money.