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Criminal Law (Amendment) (Protection of Property) Bill

I am mindful of the wide interest in the Bill, Madam Deputy Speaker, and I want to allow as many colleagues as possible to speak. I have been generous in giving way to Government Members. I thank everyone who supports the Bill in every part of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. I thank the Federation of Small Businesses, the Security Institute, the National Neighbourhood Watch Association and the former burglar Bob Turney, who has lent his not insignificant expertise. I humbly submit that the Bill is very much needed. It would extend to both residential and commercial property owners the right to defend their lives, property and belongings without fear of prosecution. It would allow people to take action only where that was deemed not to be grossly disproportionate to the threat that they faced and, in such circumstances, they would not face criminal charges. It would bring criminal and civil law into line, restoring the balance in favour of the victim rather than the criminal, and it would increase protection for people throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who expect the House to vote in favour of its provisions.