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Terrorism (Northern Ireland) Bill

I thank the Minister for that comprehensive response. In particular, I note what he said about other proposals for the Diplock process. I am well aware of the views of my friends the Liberal Democrats on the Diplock courts. I am also thinking about what the Government will have to do on this side of the water in reviewing the form of terrorism trials under the Terrorism Bill, which is going through your Lordships’ House now. I am certainly optimistic that, by 2008, Northern Ireland will have got to the stage where it can come within any legislation that may be brought forward concerning non-jury trials for terrorism offences in the United Kingdom. I am afraid that I am certain that such trials will have to happen. Getting a jury that is truly free from threat and safe to speak its views is, as your Lordships know, becoming more and more difficult in various parts of our kingdom. On the basis of that and of the noble Lord’s undertaking that, if things do not look good come the middle of 2007, we will have time to bring forward a simple Bill to which we will all, I hope, be able to agree—please be assured that I hope that such a measure will not be necessary—I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Clause 1 agreed to. Clauses 2 to 5 agreed to. Schedule agreed to. Title agreed to. Bill reported without amendment.