Queen’s Speech

Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist Excerpts

Monday 21st October 2019 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist (Con)]

I remind the noble Lord of the advisory speaking time. Perhaps he could draw his comments to a close.

[Lord Dholakia]

I shall do that. It is an advisory limit, but I shall conclude now.

Short sentences are the most ineffective of all types of custodial sentences. They have the highest reconviction rates. They are not long enough for any serious attempt at rehabilitation, but they can result in offenders losing jobs, accommodation and family life.

Looking at the rehabilitation of offenders would do more to protect the public than headline-grabbing announcements designed to help win a general election rather than fight crime.

--- Later in debate ---

[Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist]

I remind the noble Lord that the advisory speaking time is for the benefit of the House.

[Lord Beith]

I am the second Liberal Democrat to whom the noble Baroness has given that helpful advice, but I am on my last sentence: that it is our job to make sure that the Bill is properly examined.