Oral Answers to Questions

Peter Lamb Excerpts

Tuesday 17th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Alex Davies-Jones]

I welcome that question. The Liberal Democrat spokesperson will know of my commitment to ensuring that the family court is safe for all involved, including children and domestic abuse victims. That is why we are repealing in the Courts and Tribunals Bill the presumption of parental involvement in contact in these cases. Just today, the Justice Secretary has announced a national roll-out of our child-focused model, formerly known as pathfinder, over the next three years. We are doing all we can to ensure that our family courts are safe and effective for all involved.

[Peter Lamb (Crawley) (Lab)]

9. What assessment he has made of the potential merits of allowing greater use of evidence from automated enforcement technology in trials.

[The Minister for Courts and Legal Services (Sarah Sackman)]

It is the prosecution and the defence who decide what evidence to put forward in a criminal trial, including deciding whether to put forward evidence from automated enforcement technology. Once that evidence has been put forward, the magistrates and the judge have a duty to ensure that only admissible evidence is presented to a jury.

[Peter Lamb]

The Government are to be commended for the largest ever investment in police technology, including facial recognition to catch serious offenders, and a drone squad to crack down on waste crime. However, the rules around admissibility of some high-tech evidence, such as the six-month crime rule, are holding back enforcement, which could enable us to stamp out low-level crime and antisocial behaviour. Can the Minister commit to reviewing these rules to ensure that the latest technology can be used to protect our communities?

[Sarah Sackman]

We will keep the rules relating to the admissibility of evidence under review. When considering whether evidence is admissible, the magistrates and judge will consider its relevance, competence, materiality and probative value.

Oral Answers to Questions

Peter Lamb Excerpts

Tuesday 16th September 2025 Commons Chamber

[Richard Foord (Honiton and Sidmouth) (LD)]

15. What steps he is taking to reduce backlogs in the criminal justice system.

[Peter Lamb (Crawley) (Lab)]

17. What steps his Department is taking to reduce the length of time for cases to go to trial.

[The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Mr David Lammy)]

Mr Speaker, it is nice to be back on my old beat.

This Government inherited a record courts backlog. We have taken immediate action by funding a record high allocation of 110,000 Crown court sitting days this year. Fundamental reform is of course necessary, which is why the previous Lord Chancellor, my right hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham Ladywood (Shabana Mahmood), commissioned Sir Brian Leveson to propose bold reforms, which we are now considering.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Lammy]

I am always happy to do anything—I did it in my last role and I will do it in this role—to ensure that anyone terrorising is convicted. That is quite properly a matter for law enforcement and prosecutors, but I will examine the detail of what the hon. Gentleman says.

[Peter Lamb]

I have met constituents who have been victims of some of the most serious offences and were waiting for years before the general election to have access to justice. Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss how I can ensure that my constituents have timely access to justice?

[Mr Lammy]

My hon. Friend is right. We have to ensure that the system works for victims. Under the previous Government, half of all magistrates courts closed, and in December 2023, the Crown court backlog had increased by 77%. We are dealing with that—we have to do so as swiftly as possible. I will of course ensure that he meets with the appropriate Minister.

Oral Answers to Questions

Peter Lamb Excerpts

Tuesday 22nd April 2025 Commons Chamber

[Shabana Mahmood]

I will chase that up this afternoon and ensure that the hon. Member gets a response as quickly as possible. She will know that release on temporary licence is a mechanism that has governor supervision. If people follow the rules in prison, they become eligible for release on temporary licence. If they do not follow the rules, they are not eligible.

[Peter Lamb (Crawley) (Lab)]

Can the Minister give an assessment of the potential merits of restricting triable either-way offences to summary trial, except for sentencing?