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Compensation Bill [HL]

Perhaps small parts of the Middle East are not dangerous, but far too much of it is. I was very pleased to hear the Minister say that the insurance problems are being looked at. I hope that something useful will come out of that. I was also pleased to hear not that she will refer the matter to the Law Commission—perhaps I was overstating the position—but that she will discuss it with that body and inform us of the result of those discussions. The Law Commission will have an opportunity to express its views on whether this clause does what the Government want it to do—no less and no more than that. I earlier compared Clause 1 to a placebo, which is probably a fair description. A placebo has a tendency to make people feel better even if the effect is psychological rather than physical. I am worried not so much that it does nothing, if it is a placebo and will do good in that capacity so be it; it is doing some good. I am worried that it may actually operate to extend the law in an uncertain and possibly undesirable direction, and even if it does not alter the law it may increase litigation on the basis of legal advice that it may do so. So I remain as yet unconvinced that Clause 1 is a good thing, but I will not object on this occasion to its standing part. Clause 1 agreed to.