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Proceeding contribution from Baroness Stern (Crossbench) in the House of Lords on Wednesday, 26 March 2008. It occurred during Debate on bill on Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill.


Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill

My Lords, I hope the Minister will clarify what is emerging from our discussion and from his letter to the noble Earl, Lord Onslow, which I have not had an opportunity to read—that the cost is not a cost. It would be a case simply of people who have an entitlement taking it up, rather than not taking it up so that the money was left in the budget to be spent on something else or else returned to the Treasury. I would be grateful for clarification that this understanding is right. Amendment No. 86, which is on the issue, is in the group. Proposed new sub-paragraph (3A) states that: "““The grant of a right to representation shall be presumed to be in the interests of justice where the individual is under the age of 18 at the commencement of the proceedings””." If you are talking about someone under the age of 18 it would be hard to argue against that, with the problems of understanding and of vulnerability. Perhaps the Minister will say whether he is in favour of that. If not, perhaps he will say how he justifies not being when we are talking about people under 18.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
700 c583 
Session
2007-08
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Criminal proceedings Alcoholic drinks Administration of justice Legal aid scheme Misuse Probation Rehabilitation Sentencing Young offenders
Legislation
Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill 2006-07 to 2007-08
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk