Oral Answers to Questions

James Naish Excerpts

Tuesday 5th November 2024 Commons Chamber

[Heidi Alexander]

This Government recognise the difficulties that parents and guardians of young people who lack mental capacity can face in accessing their child trust fund. I recently met the hon. Member’s colleague, the hon. Member for Horsham (John Milne), and his constituent about this issue. The Government will consider what can be done in a way that safeguards those who lack capacity.

[James Naish (Rushcliffe) (Lab)]

T6.   Several constituents have contacted me about the sentences being handed down to climate protesters, with some seeing these sentences as too long given the pressure on our prison system. Will my hon. Friend confirm whether there are any plans to look afresh at sentencing for these types of offences in the context of crowded prisons?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Sir Nicholas Dakin)]

The right to protest is an important part of our democracy, but it has to be exercised within the law. Sentencing in individual cases is, of course, a matter for independent courts.