Dangerous Driving Offences (Sentencing)

Martin Caton Excerpts

Tuesday 4th November 2014 Westminster Hall

[Martin Caton (in the Chair)]

Order. We can now move on to the final debate of the afternoon, which is on sentencing for dangerous driving offences. The Member leading the debate has already indicated that many hon. Members would like to intervene, which is entirely in his gift. I will only say that we do want to hear the Minister as well, because the questions that are asked need to be answered. I ask everyone to bear that in mind during the debate.

--- Later in debate ---

[Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con)]

I, too, congratulate my hon. Friend on raising again this most emotive issue. I draw the attention of the House to my constituent, 18-year-old Olivia Flanagan, who was killed last December by Luke Sykes. Mr Sykes was over the drink-drive limit and had hit a number of cars before ploughing into Olivia’s car. He was driving at a blind summit on the wrong side of the road, and Olivia happened to be coming the other way. The man had 15 previous driving convictions and had only recently got his driving licence back. He had also ticked a box on the licence stating that he did not suffer from mental illness, although he had a history of such illness.

[Martin Caton (in the Chair)]

Order. I am afraid that is far too long for an intervention.

[Alok Sharma]

I thank my hon. Friend for that intervention. He makes the important point that we must have a punishment that fits the crime. We have a justice system that sometimes has much more regard for the criminal than the victims—not only the victims who are killed, but their families and friends who are left behind to pick up the pieces.

Oral Answers to Questions

Martin Caton Excerpts

Tuesday 31st January 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Dave Watts (St Helens North) (Lab)]

10. What steps he plans to take to maintain public safety when implementing his plans for the future of the Probation Service.

[Martin Caton (Gower) (Lab)]

12. What steps he plans to take to maintain public safety when implementing his plans for the future of the Probation Service.

[Toby Perkins (Chesterfield) (Lab)]

13. What steps he plans to take to maintain public safety when implementing his plans for the future of the Probation Service.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

No one enjoys listening to the Secretary of State more than I do, and I have been doing so for more than two decades, but we have a lot to get through, so economy is of the essence.

[Martin Caton]

There is a real fear both inside and outside the House that introducing a payment-by-results approach to our Probation Service risks denying adequate rehabilitation support to those with the most complex needs. What will the Secretary of State do to mitigate that risk?

[Mr Clarke]

I think that it is key to public service to concentrate on what we are delivering that is of value to the people we are trying to serve. Focusing our resources on programmes that succeed in reducing the reoffending rate, thereby reforming former offenders and ensuring that they do not create future victims of crime, will help us to ensure that we secure value for money, and will also stimulate innovation and best practice. I think it very reactionary to suggest that we should abandon the payment-by-results approach.

Gangs

Martin Caton Excerpts

Tuesday 11th October 2011 Westminster Hall

[Several hon. Members]

rose—

[Martin Caton (in the Chair)]

Order. We have just 36 minutes before the winding-up speeches need to start, and at least five Members have indicated that they wish to speak. If Members bear that arithmetic in mind, we will be able to get everybody in.