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Criminal Evidence (Witness Anonymity) Bill

We will turn to deal with the issue of special independent counsel in due course. The last time that this matter was before the House, I indicated that this question has wide ramification. The noble Lord, Lord Lester, asked: are we talking about one counsel or two? What is the role of that counsel? Will it have an investigative function? Which species of cases should special counsel apply to? All of those are interesting and complex issues and, in due course, we will be able to explore them but, for the moment, as I indicated last time we spoke about this, the case of H and C provides for an application of special counsel. Right away, these are complex issues; I very much doubt whether we will be able to resolve them finally within this emergency legislation; but we can have a good discussion about that when we come to the provisions in their place.