Criminal Defence Service Bill [Lords] (Programme) (No. 2)

Of course that is true, Madam Deputy Speaker, and I must not allow myself to be seduced by my enthusiastic hon. Friends into straying more widely than the motion itself allows. I shall try to resist that in future. I want briefly to discuss amendment No. 1, which stands in the name of the hon. Member for Somerton and Frome (Mr. Heath), who is, as ever, in his place. If one considers the explanatory notes as they relate to clause 2(2), one can see the potential importance of that proposal. I do not seek to judge its substance, but I want simply to put in context the time that might properly be required to consider it. The explanatory notes say that paragraph 3B"““provides that power to grant a right to representation can only be exercised where an individual’s financial resources are such that the body considering the application is satisfied that he is eligible.””" The amendment would make an important change to that. Again, with regard to the substance in these matters, I am looking forward enormously to the Minister’s explanation of why she believes, having arrived where we are today in these circumstances, that we can do justice to the gravity and substance of the new clause and the amendment in the time left to us.