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Criminal Evidence (Witness Anonymity) Bill

I am most grateful to the Minister for his response, and to other noble Lords who have participated in this debate. I was particularly happy to receive the support of the noble Lord, Lord Richard. I remember him telling me that, the day after he came back to London after his very distinguished four-year service as a European Commissioner in Brussels, he was met at the door of his chambers by his clerk, who said, ““Ah, Mr Richard, I’ve got a very interesting murder for you in Merthyr Tydfil””. Did the noble Lord whisper ““Pontypool”” across the Chamber? If he can have reposed in him the confidence of his clerk after four years well away from the criminal Bar, I regard that as extremely powerful evidence for the Committee to take seriously what he said about my speech today. I cannot recall whether the Minister responded to my amendment on corroboration, which I tabled to Clause 5.