Speeches by Brown-Fuller.

“Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.”

““(1) The Lord Chancellor must, within six months beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, set and publish annual targets for the reduction of the Crown Court backlog in England and Wales.”

“(2) There must be a target for the—”

“(a) overall reduction of the Crown Court backlog in England and Wales, and”

“(b) reduction of the backlog in each different HMCTS region.”

“(3) The Lord Chancellor must lay before Parliament an annual report on progress against these targets.”

“(4) Any report under subsection (3) must include any steps taken to address the failure to meet the targets.”—(Jess Brown-Fuller.)”

“This new clause requires the Lord Chancellor to set and publish targets for reducing court backlogs and to report annually to Parliament on progress.”

“Brought up, and read the First time.”

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

“”

“New Clause 6”

“Fast-track courts for rape and serious sexual offences”

““(1) The Lord Chancellor must by regulations make provision for specialist court capacity for cases involving rape and serious sexual offences (‘RASSO’).”

““(1) The Lord Chancellor may not make regulations bringing sections 1 to 7 of this Act into force unless—”

“(3) The Lord Chancellor must take reasonable steps for any necessary judicial, administrative and support resources to be made available to operate such court capacity.”—(Jess Brown-Fuller.)”

“This new clause would require the Lord Chancellor to ensure that specialist court capacity is made available for the fast-tracking of RASSO cases.”

“Brought up, and read the First time.”

“(6) Where the report concludes that the provisions are effective, the Lord Chancellor must make regulations making provision for repeal of sections 1 to 7 subject to the condition in subsection (8).”

“I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. New clause 35, which I tabled last week after a conversation with the Victims’ Commissioner, would reinstate an inspectorate body for the criminal courts in England and Wales. The Courts Act 2003 introduced His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Court Administration, which w…”