Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Bill [HL]

I must say that as soon as the Official Opposition indicated that they wanted much more time to consider the Government’s amendments, it was, I understand, instantly agreed that this should be done today, and on another Committee day a week from now if that proved necessary. So far as the amendments are concerned, we have the benefit of the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee report. The Department for Constitutional Affairs, as it was, gave that committee a detailed and extremely useful account, which figures in its report, explaining precisely what was proposed. There are several pages of detail, all of which I have read. The Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee considered all that, including the scope of delegation, and concluded that there was nothing that needed to be drawn to the attention of the House. I am all in favour of probing, and even of grumpiness, but it is not fair to criticise the Government for undue haste. The amendments have been carefully prepared and are now available to be considered today, and, if necessary, on another day in Grand Committee, as well as on Report. Given the almost unqualified welcome that was given to my four-page Bill, one would hope that the Opposition will continue to be enthusiastic at later stages of the Bill, here and in the other place.