Sentencing Guidelines

Part of 2. Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for Delivery – in the Senedd at 2:55 pm on 21 January 2025.

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Photo of Rhys ab Owen Rhys ab Owen Plaid Cymru 2:55, 21 January 2025

Diolch yn fawr, Cwnsler Cyffredinol. Now, section 124 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 gives power to the Lord Chancellor to propose that sentencing guidelines are amended. In light of the change to the devolution settlement and primary law-making power coming into force, since that legislation was passed, I would expect that a proposal from the Counsel General involving Welsh law—a law only to do with Wales—would carry equal weight. Now, following the Government's response to Carolyn Thomas's Member debate, that they will not be introducing a pet abduction Act during this Senedd, will you write to the Sentencing Council requesting that the theft guidelines are amended to reflect that pets are far more than mere property and the terrible emotional distress it has on owners when pets are taken, to be reflected in the sentencing guidelines for theft? Diolch yn fawr.

Minister

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.

Lord Chancellor

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Chancellor