Speeches by Qureshi.

“(a) recommendations about how the Act is implemented, and”

“(b) recommendations about further provision necessary to improve each matter.”

“(5) In this section, serious sexual offences are such offences as the Crown Prosecution Service may from time to time specify.”

“(6) Within twelve months beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, the Lord Chancellor must lay before Parliament—”

“(a) a copy of a report under this section,”

“(b) the Lord Chancellor’s response to recommendations made by that report.”—(Jess Brown-Fuller.)”

“This new clause would require a report on the effect of the provisions of the Bill on the progression of RASSO cases, and require the Lord Chancellor to respond to these recommendations.”

“Brought up, and read the First time.”

“Question put, That the clause be read a Second time.”

“New Clause 24”

“Expiry of sections 1 to 7”

““(1) Sections 1 to 7 of this Act expire three months after the date on which the condition in subsection (2) is met.”

“(2) The condition is that number of cases awaiting trial in the Crown Court has been below pre-pandemic level in each of the previous four quarterly reporting periods.”

“(3) For the purposes of subsection (2) the number of cases awaiting trial in the Crown Court is that which is calculated by HM Courts and Tribunals Service.”—(Dr Mullan.)”

“This new clause sunsets sections 1 to 7 of this Act so that they will not longer be in force once the court backlog has been resolved.”

“”

“We call these things in the magistrates court the smaller, lower things—they are not. As we know, most people who get charged with a criminal offence are dealt with in the magistrates court. Some 90% of criminal cases are heard in the magistrates court. Appeals form only about 1% of the Crown court backlog, which shows…”

“I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.”

“I will not press the amendments tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for York Central. However, it is important to bring to the Government’s attention the real-life situation of ordinary, working people—our constituents, who we see on a daily basis. We all know how they are. Most of them are quite nervous; a lot are qui…”

“I beg to move amendment 70, in clause 13, page 27, line 37, at end insert— “(7) Disclosure of the details of any connection between the independent supporter and the complainant is required prior to seeking the court’s agreement of the independent supporter.” This proposed addition is simple. The clause centres on witn…”