Offender Management Bill

My Lords, before we reach that stage I think I must formally withdraw my amendment; then we can leave the Floor open to the noble and learned Baroness. I put on record my thanks to all those who have supported me over the past few months when I have argued for the principle of trusting local people. That has been an important argument in the Bill. I could take time to rebut all of the arguments put forward by the noble Lord, Lord Warner, but that would be tempting me to engage in yet another Second Reading speech and that is not what we do at this stage. I beg leave to withdraw the Motion. Motion, by leave, withdrawn On Question, Motion A agreed to 11: Page 3, line 46, at end insert- ““(6) In carrying out their functions under this Part, and in particular in providing any assistance to the courts and to the Parole Board for England and Wales, providers of probation services and their officers shall ensure that such assistance does not give rise to any conflict of interest between their obligation to give such advice impartially and the financial interest of the provider.”” The Commons disagree to Lords Amendment No. 11 but propose the following Amendment in lieu- 11A: Page 3, line 46, at end insert- ““(6) In carrying out functions under this Part in relation to arrangements under section 3(2) with another person (““the provider””), the Secretary of State shall have regard to the need to take reasonable steps to avoid (so far as practicable) the risk that- (a) the provision, in pursuance of the arrangements, of assistance to a court or to the Parole Board for England and Wales, and (b) the carrying out, in pursuance of the arrangements, of any other activities, might be adversely affected by any potential conflict between the provider's obligations in relation to those activities and the financial interests of the provider.””