Serious Crime Bill [HL]

My Lords, I have some advice to give on this particular case. It is of such import to our debates that it clearly should be considered fully and properly by the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee, which, while it produces excellent reports, would find its proceedings enlivened more than somewhat if it were to consider this case’s implications. Anyway, I ought to deal with what is front of me. I have listened carefully to what the noble Lord, Lord Henley, has said, and he makes a fair point; amendments were tabled late. It is also fair to say that the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee did a first-rate job in considering the implications of those amendments, given the timeframe in which it had to work and the constraints that it would have worked under. In fairness to your Lordships, it would be right for me to commit to taking away Amendments Nos. 51 and 126 and not pressing them this evening, so that proper and full consideration can be given. We can then consider those matters at Third Reading—I am advised that we will be able to do so, and I am happy to do that. That said, we should move the other amendments in this group. However, the noble Lord made a good case. I am willing to be as helpful as I can to the House—it is only proper that I should be—and that will enable us to agree and disagree more amicably on these matters in a way that is of service to all.