Speeches by Munt.

“I have two questions I want to ask you. You had done some polling about the potential reforms you were looking for to the criminal records checks. Who did your polling for you and what were the headlines of your research?”

“Yes. For my other question, I am aware that you have had endorsement from Sir Brian Leveson. I am also aware that the Lord Chancellor said the Government would take up opportunities to simplify criminal records. Has that conversation gone anywhere? How much time have you spent talking to the Lord Chancellor about this?”

“Good. Is that turning into something material?”

“Thank you very much indeed.”

“I welcome the Minister’s announcement and I know that it will bring some joy, particularly with the further announcements he is going to make later in the Parliament, to many of the residents in my part of the west country. May I draw his attention to the housing with care sector? I am talking not about those gated com…”

“I am the Member of Parliament for Wells and Mendip Hills in Somerset. Everything is on the register, but I will point out that I am a director and vice chair of WhistleblowersUK and I am also the vice-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on penal affairs.”

“Is it easy to correct something that is incorrect?”

“You were present in the cheap seats for the previous panel?”

“Thank you. I have a particular interest because I have a piece of casework, and I might have to speak to you later. How common are errors or outdated information on DBS certificates?”

“We have picked up that employment piece, and the education piece is important. I wonder if you could talk about the impact of having a criminal record and the disclosure of that. How might that impact on somebody’s rehabilitation opportunities?”

“Okay. I should know this because I am working here: can I apply to do a check on myself?”

“It is such a big change. That 7.3 million will rise because a lot of people want to know what is held on them.”

“Thank you, that was helpful. You said it was complicated about how long certain types of criminal record are held and revealed on different sorts of checks. Is there a document somewhere? Is it possible for you to write to the Chair?”

“Are there other aspects like perhaps travel?”

“Thank you for coming. Thank you for what you do. Can you briefly outline what a criminal record is and what information can be held on one?”

“Thank you. Can I ask a quick question? I know that some new arrangements came into play last Wednesday.”

“Reforms were made to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 by the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012. What were those reforms, and what impacts did they have for those with criminal records?”

“Can people check their own record?”

“Do they know that the tutor has requested it? They will not know that.”

“I am sorry. I get going on this. I love this subject.”