Speeches by Davies.

“So there is not a solid definition of “temporary”, as measured in time.”

“Given that it takes many years to train skilled workers, is there not a danger—and this talks to the point that you rightly made earlier about trust—that the temporary shortage list just becomes a loophole? Is there not a danger that the system decides that “temporary” means “semi-permanent” for years ahead? What mecha…”

“Does the Home Office have the capability and capacity in the centre to oversee the reform programme and also to hold the police to account, notwithstanding their operational independence, for some of your pledges?”

“What you are setting out is the centralisation of capabilities—I think there is probably a strong case for that—but do you see a case for fewer chief constables and fewer police forces, and for mandating reform from the centre as, for example, the Deputy Prime Minister is doing around local government?”

“On police reform, Sir Mark Rowley has stated that the police are “up for radical reform” and Gavin Stephens has called for “bigger, capable forces”. What is your view on police reform? Do you see a case for fewer chief constables and fewer police forces across England and Wales?”

“Before we move on from the spending review, it is important that the ambitions the Government was elected on in July are funded. Are these things being taken into the round as part of the submissions? I do not ask you to break any confidences around the process, but it is very important to communities and constituents …”

“By definition, if prisoners are not in prison, they are in the community, which will require more resources in the community to manage those offenders. Has that formed part of your submission to the Treasury as part of the spending review? If so, would you like to say anything more about that and how it links to those …”

“Do you share the concerns raised by the Met, the NCA and MI5 about the risk to public safety of releasing offenders earlier in their prison sentence?”

“Before we move on, I also encourage you to look at West Mercia police, who are looking at and consulting on preventing CSOs from being on duty after 8 pm. I understand that you will respect police independence, but that clearly goes against the grain of the guarantee we are talking about, doesn’t it?”

“T4. The 14,500 volunteer magistrates who deal with 95% of criminal cases are the backbone of our justice system. Will the Lord Chancellor meet me, the Magistrates’ Association, and a group of cross-party MPs who recently wrote to her, calling for a long-service medal to be established for justices, as well as discussin…”

“Does the Lord Chancellor agree that when it comes to sentencing, ancillary orders, including those banning offenders from shops and high streets, are part of the answer? We need the police, together with the Crown Prosecution Service, to apply for them, and when an offender appears in court, we need the courts to issue…”

“Last month, I had the honour of visiting RBSL—Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land—in Telford. Along with many defence companies and organisations, it is so proud of its effort to help Britain to defend itself here and around the world. The SDR provides certainty to industry, but we need to go further to ensure that every Gove…”

“Police officers, magistrates and judges all report that some offenders would rather go to prison to be back with their mates, watching Sky TV and having three square meals a day. Does the Lord Chancellor agree that those who go to prison should be treated more harshly and robustly than was the case under the 14 years o…”

“As a new Member of this House, I have noticed that on almost every single day on which Parliament sits, there is a statement from the Government, alongside, quite rightly, urgent questions. Will the Leader of the House use the Modernisation Committee to look at more ways that we can scrutinise the work of the Governmen…”

“You have mentioned the profit share back to the Home Office. Can you each tell me how much money you have paid back to the Home Office in profit share each year for the last few years, please?”

“People will take from that what they will. Mr Lakey and Mr Burt, you have not declared all your profit margins for certain years, have you?”

“When was the last year that payment covered?”

“Despite your recognition in your answers to the opening questions that you have exceeded the contract profit margin and that your expectation is that you should pay the Home Office some funding back, you have not paid £1 back to the Home Office as yet. Is that correct?”

“We have heard from Mr Lakey that his company has paid £32 million back.”

“Ms Sturt?”