Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Bill

I support all the amendments, especially having listened to the speeches made by all the noble Lords who have spoken, with their expertise and—to refer to my noble friend Lord Ramsbotham—actual experience in this area. Earlier, the noble and learned Lord, Lord Lyell, referred to the fact that gross negligence is required in these circumstances. That has made a particular impression in matters such as this. Of course, the safety of those outside must be borne in mind, along with the reasons why people are put into prison. There is the human rights issue—and the point was made forcefully about the importance of this group being included, because of the encouragement that that would give to the culture of safety. We have been discussing what has happened in prisons and the effects of gross overcrowding, which is contributing even more than in the past to the concerns and the failure to address the problems and needs of those in prison, such as the totally inadequate mental health facilities. It is typical that we are discussing in parallel rooms a Bill such as this and a Mental Health Bill. Having read what was said in the Commons, I cannot believe that the Government will not include this group in the provisions of the Bill. It is a brave Bill, but it will not be seen as such unless the whole range of amendments is included. Whether it is a private or public prison, the whole range is relevant. On that note, I hope that we shall hear something encouraging from the Minister. One accepts that this is not his area of expertise, and it is a pity that he has to cope with it—these things happen—but I hope that we will be encouraged by his remarks.