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Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill [HL]

I thank the noble Baronesses and the noble Lord for that eloquent description of something I feel extremely strongly about, having worked in this field for so long. We are talking about taking risks with the most vulnerable people in our community. Of course it is true that, if good administrative procedures are always followed and carried out to the letter, the risk will be extremely slight, even negligible. We also know that the people who do this type of work have outrageously large caseloads, but older people and vulnerable adults generally are often last in the queue. In my view it is very sad to wait until a tragedy occurs to demonstrate that administrative procedures were not carried out adequately. I hope the Ministers will rethink this and come back with something that could mitigate our real fears about this group. In the meantime, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendment No. 79 not moved.] Clause 6 agreed to. Clause 7 [Barred person not to engage in regulated activity]: [Amendments Nos. 80 and 81 not moved.] Clause 7 agreed to. Clause 8 [Person not to engage in regulated activity unless subject to monitoring]: