Speeches by Juss.

“Minister, you said that the VAWG strategy is focusing on prevention. If we were able to achieve that, perhaps we would not need so many prison places. Can you give a general overview as to how you think that we can achieve prevention?”

“Good afternoon. I am Warinder Juss. I am MP for Wolverhampton West. I am a member of various APPGs and I am also an executive council member of the GMB trade union. I have other interests registered on my member’s register.”

“Following on from what Professor Thomas has said, how do you think that the success of 28 is judged at the moment and how do you think the success should be judged?”

“How do you judge the success of section 28?”

“Minister, you said that the VAWG strategy is focusing on prevention. If we were able to achieve that, perhaps we would not need so many prison places. Can you give a general overview as to how you think that we can achieve prevention?”

“Many of those arrested over the weekend for simply holding placards were older and disabled citizens and human rights activists, who can hardly be described as terrorists. Considering that the UN human rights chief has warned that proscription dangerously conflates protest with terrorism, does the Minister accept that …”

“1. What steps she is taking to help ensure the effective prosecution of people smugglers. [R]”

“Over the summer recess, two older Sikh taxi drivers were attacked outside Wolverhampton train station, one of whom is a constituent of mine. Although I commend British Transport police for making arrests quickly, meeting me and acknowledging that the attacks were racially motivated, many people, including me, were shoc…”

“I welcome the Government’s steps to deter people smuggling and end the exploitation of vulnerable people. I also want to highlight the work that Wolverhampton City of Sanctuary does in my constituency to help refugees rebuild their lives. As the Home Secretary confirmed only this week, one of the Government’s major ref…”

“I totally agree. When I walk around and see cars and other vehicles parked on pavements, I sometimes wonder why people could not just have parked them on the road. There never seems to be any valid reason why they are parked on the pavement. The ability for people to walk on pavements is crucial. Walking improves physi…”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mrs Hobhouse. The issue of pavement parking has been raised with me in my constituency of Wolverhampton West. Measures have already been introduced in Scotland and Wales, where legislative action has been taken to deal with pavement parking. Pavement parking is also banne…”

“I read about the work that you did in relation to the Stephen Lawrence inquiry. Thank you so much for that. We have already had a discussion about resources. You have said that you do not know how much money will be available to you, and that you have three secretarial staff, but have you been given any other informati…”

“Before I ask what I wanted to ask you, may I follow on from what the Chair said? You have acknowledged that you will not have investigative powers.”

“Do you think that not having powers to investigate will hinder your ability to get quick and just results for victims?”

“Will you therefore have the power to tell or ask others what they should investigate?”

“Presumably you will need resources to do all that.”

“A final question from me, Cindy: when the Victims and Prisoners Bill was going through the Commons and the Lords, attempts were made to amend it so that the Standing Advocate would be a data controller. But you are not going to be one, so how will you ensure that you have access to all the relevant data? How will you b…”

“This is linked to the question of resources, but to aspects of the organisation as well: the Secretary of State has said that in the sad event of a major incident, she may appoint other advocates to work with you as the Standing Advocate. Have you thought about how you may build up and maintain relationships between th…”

“Dealing with major incidents can be very complex—they can involve many different authorities and vast amounts of documentation—so the need for proper resources will be really important. You will advocate for that, will you?”

“Good afternoon. I am Warinder Juss, MP for Wolverhampton West. My interests are on the register. I am a solicitor with a current practising certificate, but am not practising. I am a member of the GMB executive council and a member of various APPGs.”