Debates between Shailesh Vara and Conor McGinn during the 2015-2017 Parliament

Fri 29th Jan 2016

Criminal Legal Aid

Debate between Shailesh Vara and Conor McGinn
Friday 29th January 2016

(8 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Shailesh Vara Portrait Mr Vara
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The hon. Gentleman talks about millions of pounds; may I just remind him of the billions that were squandered and wasted when his party was in government, and that if it was not for its squandering and mismanagement, this Government would not have had to take the tough decisions we are having to take?

Conor McGinn Portrait Conor McGinn (St Helens North) (Lab)
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The Saudi prison contracts, the secure college, the book ban, the outsourcing of the collection of fines by courts, the criminal courts charge, and now two-tier, the latest in the long line of U-turns by the Justice Secretary on measures taken by his predecessor. If he is looking for his next U-turn, may I suggest he looks at the repeal of the Human Rights Act—and, of course, the closure of the court in St Helens?

Shailesh Vara Portrait Mr Vara
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I am sure the hon. Gentleman’s constituents will be grateful that he managed to slip in that last bit concerning his court. As I have told him previously, no firm decisions have been taken on that issue. On other matters, I am pleased that the hon. Gentleman pays such detailed attention to what is happening in the MOJ.