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Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill

I am trying to be helpful. What I should like is a pledge that says, ““I unreservedly uphold the rule of law and give my total and absolute support to those who are commissioned to protect the public in the police.””"Mr. Hanson: Again, we are in danger of going into debates that we will have later—I am happy to do that—but as I said in Committee, the principle of supporting policing and the rule of law is something that I wish to uphold. I wish to see that happen, and I have no problem with that. However, as I have said during the course of the debate, it is possible for a Minister to have disagreements with the police and there is a whole range of circumstances in which a Minister could exercise judgment in those disagreements. I agree with the substance of what hon. Members are saying, but it is difficult to put things in the form that the later amendments do. We are in danger of having a debate about later amendments and I do not wish to incur your wrath, Mr. Deputy Speaker."