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Parliamentary Standards Bill

I agree with the noble Lord, Lord Campbell-Savours, that the question of civil actions could lead to an MP being able to delay the investigation by the commissioner and all the rest of it and the Commons disciplinary proceedings under the Bill. But I think that the question of prosecutions is different. They are not in the hands of the Member of Parliament concerned; they are in the hands of the police and the prosecuting authorities. Of course, sometimes the police are criticised for taking a long time to bring a case to court because they are carrying out their investigations, and no doubt the criticism of delay by the police is sometimes justified. But, as I said, the matter is in the hands not of the Member of Parliament concerned but of the police and the prosecuting authorities. Therefore, with this amendment referring only to criminal prosecutions and investigations, I do not think that there is a danger of the MP being able to delay it. I think that the amendment, which stands in my noble friend’s name and my own, is important for exactly the reasons that he set out, and I will not trouble to repeat them.