Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders bill

Jim Sheridan (Paisley and Renfrewshire North, Labour)

Before we start this morning’s proceedings, I want to say that we are considering an extremely serious Bill, not only for the taxpayer, but individuals. I am well aware that there are extremely talented brains in Committee, but I do not imagine that there will be a need to demonstrate that further. Brevity will be appreciated.

Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith, Labour)

On a point of order, Mr Sheridan. It is a pleasure to see you in the Chair. I have checked my declaration of interest, and it still states that I am a barrister, which I am—albeit non-practising. I declare that as an interest—I hope for the one and only time, although I realise that, in so doing, I might set off a fusillade of similar declarations.

Jim Sheridan (Paisley and Renfrewshire North, Labour)

Does anyone else have a declaration to make?

Robert Buckland (South Swindon, Conservative)

Yes, Mr Sheridan. I should declare that I am a practising barrister, who has been in receipt of criminal legal aid payments for work done before the election. I am also a recorder at the Crown court. That is my declaration for the purposes of all our sittings until the end of our consideration of the Bill.

Jonathan Djanogly (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (HM Courts Service and Legal Aid), Justice; Huntingdon, Conservative)

Good morning, Mr Sheridan. I declare an interest as a non-practising solicitor who has never been in receipt of legal aid.

Anna Soubry (Broxtowe, Conservative)

I was a member of the Criminal Bar Association until my election to this place, so I have been in receipt of payments through the legal aid system. However, I have never held a judicial appointment.

Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East, Labour)

Before the general election, I was a pupil in my chambers in Hull, where I had practised as a criminal solicitor, mainly publicly funded, for some time. Since the general election, I have received fees that have been privately paid only.

Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston, Labour)

I held judicial offices as a lay magistrate between 1993 and 2009, and I have been made a life member of the Magistrates Association.

Yvonne Fovargue (Makerfield, Labour)

Before the election, I was a chief executive of a citizens advice bureau that received legal aid funding for social welfare law.

Jeremy Wright (Government Whip, House of Commons; Kenilworth and Southam, Conservative)

I am also a non-practising barrister. That may not matter, as I am unlikely to say anything in Committee apart from moving the Adjournment motion.

Jessica Lee (Erewash, Conservative)

I declare an interest. I was called to the family Bar in 2001, and I have practised in chambers in London and Nottingham.

Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston, Labour)

My hon. Friend the Member for Makerfield reminds me that I also ran the Child Poverty Action Group for a number of years and, before that, the National Council for One Parent Families, both of which received legal aid funding.

Jim Sheridan (Paisley and Renfrewshire North, Labour)

It is a bit like an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.