Serious Crime Bill [HL]

moved Amendment No. 25: 25: Clause 4, page 5, line 16, leave out ““Secretary of State”” and insert ““Lord Chancellor”” The noble Lord said: My Lords, I shall speak also to Amendments Nos. 31 to 36, 75, 123 to 125, 127 and 128, 139 and 140. These simple amendments are designed to replace the references to the Secretary of State throughout the Bill with references to the Lord Chancellor. The Home Secretary has announced his intention to hive off a substantial part of the Home Office and transfer it to the Department for Constitutional Affairs by 8 May this year—by which time it is not likely that this Bill will still be in this House and may not have started in another place—thereby creating a Ministry of Justice. The provisions of the Bill seemto fall within those that we understand will be transferred to the said new ministry. I would be grateful if the Minister could clarify whether I am right. If it is the case, surely the Minister with responsibility will be the figure known as the Lord Chancellor which, we all remember, the Prime Minister tried to abolish by mere executive fiat. Given that, he should be so named in the Bill. I beg to move.