---

Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Bill

moved Amendment No. 44: 44: Before Clause 15 , insert the following new Clause— ““Duty to publicise the offence The Secretary of State shall have a duty to publicise the offence as set out in section 1 of this Act to— (a) the public, (b) an organisation to which section 1 of this Act applies, and (c) an organisation which is otherwise exempt from the offence by virtue of sections 4 to 7 of this Act.”” The noble Lord said: My Lords, this is a short but important amendment to emphasise the need for this Bill to be properly publicised. This is self-evidently needed, but it is important that the implications of this legislation are made abundantly clear in order to encourage people affected to be aware that they need to anticipate potential risks—in fact, to concentrate minds. Now more than ever it is incumbent on organisations to ensure that they conduct their affairs with others in mind. I include in this the fact that, over time, various investigations are carried out following disasters or tragedies but frequently recommendations are not followed. This legislation puts organisations on notice that they will be found wanting if they do not take account of such recommendations. At various stages of the Bill, suggestions were put forward as to how many disasters or events would, or would not, have been avoided if this legislation had been in place. This Bill can play a key role in changing the culture in many spheres of activity, where failures of management and failures of training and awareness have been shown to be the cause of many tragic events. That is why the message must go out loud and clear. It has, I regret to say, not always been the case that legislation has been explained clearly and in good time or disseminated widely. I bring to this idea my experience in another place of a number of Bills, and my life in business. It has been made evident to me that legislation is sometimes difficult for people to grasp, and people are not always made aware of it as clearly as they should be. My key point is that we need to change the culture, and we need people to be aware of what this Bill is about. I look to the noble Lord to give assurances that the legislation will be publicised with the urgency and clarity that is needed. I beg to move.