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Criminal Evidence (Witness Anonymity) Bill

My Lords, I do not intend to oppose the Committee stage of the Bill, or to object to its remaining stages being taken today. I have intervened at this juncture because a significant and lengthy amendment was tabled last night by the Government. No warning was forthcoming, and the amendment was not seen until it appeared in the Printed Paper Office this morning. I am aware that this is emergency legislation. We, for our part, have accepted the need for speed, although we believe that, even in the context of emergency legislation, the time allowed for parliamentary scrutiny in this case has been too truncated, especially in the context of a measure that goes to the heart of the principle of a fair trial and the liberty of the individual. I also recognise that, within the exacting timetable that the Government have set, they have presented us with a number of welcome opportunities to discuss the Bill. It was, therefore, all the more bewildering to be taken by surprise this morning. When I asked for an emergency meeting with the noble Lord, Lord Hunt, he and his team responded with characteristic and commendable promptitude. Nevertheless, I have had no chance to discuss the matter properly with my colleagues in another place, let alone formulate a considered manuscript amendment. This state of affairs further undermines the effectiveness of scrutiny, which is already restricted by the severe curtailment of normal Bill procedures in your Lordships’ House. Such conduct is constitutionally counterproductive. It simply lends support to those who take the view that emergency legislative procedures are little or no more than government by decree.