Criminal Justice Bill – in a Public Bill Committee am 6:00 pm ar 9 Ionawr 2003.
Simon Hughes
Shadow Spokesperson (Home Affairs)
I have one question for the Minister. My understanding is that the Clause, which has to do with an application by the defence for further disclosure from the prosecution, has a precondition
that the defence statement must be served first. It has been put to me that if the defence have concerns that the initial case has not been fully disclosed, they are obliged to serve their statement before the prosecution have revealed their hand. Is there a way of resolving the question whether the prosecution have to reveal their hand to the full? What sanction can be applied if the prosecution have not, either advertently or inadvertently, made full disclosure? I give one practical example. It is often the case that the defence are aware that someone has been interviewed yet they do not see a statement in the bundle. They might ask the police or the CPS, ''What about it?'' The answer might be, ''We know nothing about it''. As far as such bodies are concerned, the witness might be significant. In those cases, how can the defence's interests be properly looked after, and what sanction can they employ to ensure that they see everything before they have to serve their statement?
Hilary Benn
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office) (Minister for Prisons and Probation)
I do not know the answer to the hon. Gentleman's question, but I undertake to consider it, and to write to him if that is helpful.
A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.
Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.
During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.
When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.
A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.
Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.
During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.
When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
