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Coroners and Justice Bill

I am very grateful to all those who have spoken. I must make it abundantly clear that I do not take all the credit for the amendment. The noble Lord, Lord Lester, was closely involved, as were the advisers who drew up the original amendment. There are many who feel, on both sides of this question, that the matter will cause us all some concern until resolved. My concern about this began some 10 years ago when the then Home Secretary, currently the Justice Minister, told me that prisoners could not vote because they had lost the moral authority to do so. I did not know that people voted by moral authority, and if moral authority was the reason I suspect that there would be many people other than prisoners who were denied the right. It struck me that everyone was on the wrong track; and we are still on the wrong track. I add to what my noble friend Lady Stern said. If you are encouraging prisoners to rehabilitate and enhance their respect for the rule of law while doing so, it does not set a very good example if the Government are defying the rule of law in practising rehabilitation. I have always thought, in addition to the points made by the noble Lord, Lord Lester, that if the right to vote was there, prisoners would become constituents of MPs and MPs would have to take an interest in the rehabilitation of their constituents, which would raise their interest and involvement in the whole penal system. Therefore, I accept entirely what the Minister says about timing at the moment. I will read very carefully what was said. I am happy to withdraw the amendment, but with the full understanding that I will seriously consider bringing the matter back on Report. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment 188XA withdrawn. Clauses 108 and 109 agreed.