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Criminal Evidence (Witness Anonymity) Bill

moved Amendment No. 4B: 4B: Clause 3, page 2, line 32, at end insert— ““( ) For the purposes of considering an application for a witness anonymity order the court may appoint an independent counsel to assist the court, and, without limiting the directions that the court may make, the court may direct the independent counsel— (a) to inquire into the matters that are set out in sections 4 and 5 and any other matters that the court may think relevant, and (b) to report his findings to the court. ( ) Where an independent counsel has been appointed, the party who applied for the witness anonymity order must make available to the independent counsel all information in relation to the proceedings that is in the party’s possession. ( ) The Criminal Procedure Rule Committee, established under section 70 of the Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), may make rules of court for inquiries to be made by independent counsel.”” The noble Lord said: I have said everything that I need to say in support of this amendment. There are, however, two other amendments in this group whose promoters may not share my view of this amendment with respect to theirs. I beg to move.