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Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Bill

I do not intend to say much on the amendment, other than to offer my congratulations to the noble Lord, Lord Cotter, for moving it so well and setting out the arguments for it, especially following the Victoria Climbié case and what happened afterwards in the local authority concerned. At this stage, I do not know what arguments the noble Lord, Lord Bassam, will put forward. I have a sneaking suspicion that at the top of his briefing note—we all remember how they used to be drafted—is the word ““resist”” to remind him that that is what he must do. I will certainly be fascinated to hear what arguments he put forward in response to the noble Lord and it may be best if we heard from him at this stage.