Serious Crime Bill [HL]

I shall consider that when I read the Minister’s remarks. I am not about to leap to a hasty conclusion; we have done enough dividing for the day, and I do not think I would enjoy the same majority. If there is a public trial, then it is public. The person’s name and address may not be put on the register but who the order has been made against will be a matter of public record. I want to make sure that the information is available in one place and that we are not told that no central record is kept and there is no clear answer. I understand what was said about these things potentially being extremely damaging to innocent people and am happy to pursue this with the Minister between now and Report. What is currently in force is a reflection of the potency of the orders against innocent people. I do not want these things to hang around on someone’s record if they have been removed. If you no longer think someone a danger to the public, why should that information be on an easily accessible register? You may say, ““We didn’t like him 30 years ago but he’s all right now”” but his name still appears on the register. If there is no conviction, although the matter is still on record, it should not be publicly available. My main reason for putting this amendment down has been shared by several other noble Lords. I want to be sure that there is a good source of information easily available to us on how these orders have been used. I have not had the answer I wanted; if I do not obtain satisfaction from the Minister between now and Report and if I can obtain the support of my Front Bench, I will certainly come back on this issue. We must be able to know what is being done in our name. To leave it to some vaguely defined feeling that, to paraphrase the Minister’s reply, we ought to have records so something will probably emerge, will not be enough. But for now, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Clause 6 agreed to. Clause 7 [Other exceptions]: