Speeches by Farnsworth.

“Driving instructors and cyclists in my constituency have contacted me because they are concerned that experienced drivers are not aware of the 2022 changes to the highway code. Does the hon. Member agree that a campaign for greater awareness among experienced drivers would be welcome?”

“I thank the Minister for this excellent plan. In 1989, my wonderful mother Margaret passed away from bowel cancer. She died about six weeks after she was diagnosed. She had not wanted to go to her GP because she did not want to be a burden on the already overstretched NHS. Will the Minister join me in encouraging anyon…”

“I commend the hon. Member for securing this important debate. In Amber Valley, recruitment and retention continue to be the main barriers to NHS dental access, despite £240,000 of additional funding that I have managed to secure from Derbyshire locally. Does the hon. Member agree that the Minister should set out how th…”

“I am glad to end business questions on a joyful note. Just before Christmas, I launched Amber Valley’s business awards, and encouraged people to nominate their favourite local businesses and to shop locally. After hundreds of nominations, the winners are now in: Basilia and 47 Degrees Coffee in Langley Mill; By Heather…”

“Sticking with the theme of cats, my office was recently alerted to a rather troubling incident involving a cat whose owner had been taken into hospital unexpectedly, and no one was able to access the flat. It took many days for the police to obtain a warrant, and meanwhile all the RSPCA was able to do was post ice and …”

“8. What steps she is taking to help improve the welfare of domestic animals.”

“I thank my hon. Friend for speaking so powerfully about our Committee’s report. He knows that I am a huge supporter of policies that seek to maximise opportunities to rehabilitate offenders and prisoners, so I welcome the Government’s positive response to recommendation 6 on purposeful activity. We know that purposeful…”

“It is an indisputable fact that Amber Valley has the best pubs in the country. [Interruption.] It is true: they include the Moot Bar in Alfreton, Tom Said in Ripley and the Tip Inn in Loscoe, near Heanor. I welcome the Government support announced for pubs, including the £4.3 billion for businesses as covid-era busines…”

“Is it not the case, though, that there are already examples within the criminal courts system of exactly the two options that we are talking about? The two magistrates and a judge, as Mr Ford said, is exactly the set-up for appeals from the magistrates court in the Crown court. Also, there are excellent, if I may say s…”

“No, I had finished.”

“Can I clarify something? You said that you estimate 1% to 2% savings in Crown court time. Are you just talking about how much time is saved in the actual hearings in the courtroom, or are you taking into account other savings within the criminal justice system, like the work undertaken to summons jurors, to deal with j…”

“But there are some.”

“No, no, we are talking about different things here, I think—electing from the magistrates. At the moment, in a mode of trial hearing—as I am sure you know, but just in case anyone does not—the magistrates consider representations and decide whether their sentencing powers are sufficient. If they are sufficient and equi…”

“Can I clarify something? Are you suggesting that victims do not withdraw because of waiting through the Crown court list, and that they all withdraw before that point because of the investigation?”

“Good afternoon. I am Linsey Farnsworth, the Member of Parliament for Amber Valley and a former Crown prosecutor for over two decades, so I am familiar with magistrates and Crown courts. My interests are as per the register, but those of relevance to today are that I am the co-chair of the APPG on legal and constitution…”

“Is it not the case, though, that there are already examples within the criminal courts system of exactly the two options that we are talking about? The two magistrates and a judge, as Mr Ford said, is exactly the set-up for appeals from the magistrates court in the Crown court. Also, there are excellent, if I may say s…”

“Is there anything that is likely to get—”

“Riel Karmy-Jones, may I ask you the same question, please?”

“No, I had finished.”

“Can I clarify something? Are you suggesting that victims do not withdraw because of waiting through the Crown court list, and that they all withdraw before that point because of the investigation?”