Criminal Defence Service Bill [HL]

In turn, I will go back and look at the 2003 order, which drew my attention to one of the schedules. I am in some difficulty in establishing why this should be a difficult matter for the Government in the light of the position they took at the end of the Constitutional Reform Bill process. I respectfully agree with the noble Lord, Lord Goodhart, that, irrespective of whether the Lord Chancellor remains in the House, it is highly likely that the role of Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and the role of Lord Chancellor will be in the purview of one person. So, in a sense, given the fact that the Lord Chancellor is stipulated as continuing to take a lead on these matters, it seems that it would cause no political pain and much constitutional pleasure if the Lord Chancellor retained responsibility for legal aid. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendment No. 2 not moved.]