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Criminal Evidence (Witness Anonymity) Bill

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde, for his comments. I accept that having a gap between Second Reading and the remaining stages of this Bill has proved to be a wise decision. As he will know, it followed discussions in the usual channels. I cannot tell him the exact moment when Ministers knew of the issue, but I have told the House that, as work had to be done rapidly, notification for the noble Lords, Lord Kingsland and Lord Thomas of Gresford, was left until very late. I can only apologise for that. We should have done better and I wish we had, but I hope that the House will be tolerant on the basis that in a few months’ time we will have an opportunity to come back to the clauses that, it is hoped, will be enacted today. The new Bill will allow for further thorough scrutiny, as your Lordships’ House is wont to do.