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Fraud (Trials without a Jury) Bill

The Government are having a relatively easy time from Labour Members because we recognise many of the arguments that the Solicitor-General he has put forward. But—and there is a ““but””—there is the concern that he has just mentioned that the Bill could lead to what the Opposition call a ““wedge””. The argument is that some other cases go on for a long time and when jurors in them return to work, they could face some of the problems that he has just mentioned. I want to make it absolutely clear that I go as far as what is being proposed, but I would be very much opposed—I believe that quite a number of other Labour Members would be too—if further measures were brought in at some stage that would escalate the pace of change. I am very much an upholder of the jury system