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Fraud (Trials without a Jury) Bill

A series of high-profile cases—Maxwell, Blue Arrow, da Costa, the Talbot Village Trust case in 2004, Cushnie and others in 2004, and the Jubilee line case and the Global Wildlife Trust case in 2005—have raised concerns. There is a long track record of fraud case problems. That is why we have decided to deal with fraud in particular, and it is why we have no plans to extend this provision to a wider range of cases. The proposal has had a long gestation, and no other area of law can claim that. The Government are disappointed that no agreement with the main Opposition parties has been forthcoming, in spite of our best efforts. We take the view that the time has come to give effect to the provision that Parliament passed in 2003. We remain certain of the importance of the measure, and we are confident that our arguments will be convincing. I commend the Bill to the House and ask hon. Friends and hon. Members to support its Second Reading. Question put, That the Bill be now read a Second time:— The House divided: Ayes 289, Noes 219.