Protection of Freedoms Bill

My Lords, I thank the noble and learned Lord, Lord Scott, for his very powerful support, which I think the Government should take very considerable note of. The Minister gave no indication of any real sympathy with this. The examples he gave from the Defra thing of course are covered extremely well by my second amendment, which says quite clearly that where the purpose of the exercise of the power of entry would be in any way frustrated by having to get agreement, or even a warrant, that that could be justified under the present situation. As the noble Earl, Lord Erroll, said, this is a very important subject, and he made some very useful points. We shall certainly return to it on Report. I believe that there will be widespread support on all sides of your Lordships’ House for what we are trying to do. If there is any chance of having constructive conversations with the Home Office—which I rather doubt—I would be happy to have such discussions. However, at the moment I absolutely reject the idea that this one-by-one study in any way replaces what I want, which is a much more constrained, sensible and proper use of powers of entry. Although in the mean time I have to withdraw the amendments, we shall be returning in full force to them on Report. Amendment 133 withdrawn. Amendment 134 not moved. Clause 40 agreed. Clauses 41 to 43 agreed. Amendment 135 not moved. Clause 44 : Procedural and supplementary provisions Clause 44 : Procedural and supplementary provisions Amendment 136 not moved. Clause 44 agreed. Clause 45 : Devolution: Scotland and Northern Ireland Amendment 137 Clause 45 : Devolution: Scotland and Northern Ireland Amendment 137 Moved by