Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Bill [HL]

I have taken the probing amendments to be what they are, but I have to confess that I am a little surprised by the intervention made by the noble Baroness, Lady Verma. We laid the amendments on 19 April and were asked by the Opposition if more time might be allowed in order to study the Government’s proposals. On that basis, we cancelled the Grand Committee on 25 April, despite the fact that my understanding from your Lordships’ House and the other place was that everyone who was involved at Second Reading and supported the principle behind the Bill proposed by the noble Lord, Lord Lester was extremely keen for us to move at a good pace in order to enable us to get this Bill on the statute book. Members of the Committee will be aware that in my meetings this morning, the question about which there is most concern is when this will become law. We cancelled the Grand Committee on 25 April and made a date two weeks later to give more time. The Committee will know that I was in India last week, but the Bill team met with the noble Baroness, Lady Verma. We made every opportunity we could to provide information to the Opposition. I take on board what the noble Baroness said about the work that we are trying to do. But I do not wish anyone reading the reports on this Bill to have any impression that the Government have not done their absolute best to make available to anyone interested as much information as possible while fulfilling the undertaking that we thought was wanted. If I now discover that it is not wanted by the Official Opposition, we will look again. My understanding was that we should get on with this and that, while we had consent and a strong view that this is important, we should do it properly. I absolutely agree with the noble Baroness, Lady Verma, that it is important to scrutinise properly, which is why we have set aside the time. I think that we have not done a bad job today. The probing amendments have really teased out some of the issues. In conclusion, I always say in every Committee that I am always available to Members of the Committee who wish to have more information. The officials would be equally pleased. The Forced Marriages Unit would be only too delighted if Members of the Committee want to pay it a visit, because that would also be of great benefit. Within that context, we are doing our very best to do something really important and I am grateful to Members of the Committee for their support. On Question, amendment agreed to. Clause 11 [Amendments consequential on sections 8 to 10]: