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Policing and Crime Bill

My Lords, I thank the Minister particularly for the last paragraph of his remarks. The offer of an assessment at least offers some comfort to those of us who are very worried about the direction that this Bill has taken. I am grateful to the Minister for the time he has spent in thinking about these issues. The Government have come forward with three amendments. To ask me to be very enthusiastic about Amendment 29, on less time in detention, would be like asking me to be grateful for a very awful present. I am not hugely grateful, because I did not like the provision in the first place. However, the provisions in Amendments 34 and 35 are much more reasonable. We have had a very full debate on these issues over two days, and I am very grateful to everybody who has shown so much concern from all around the House. When we come back to these issues, I hope that we have much clearer evidence—and I am sure that we will come back to them. I hope that we will be in much less of a muddle, as the noble Lord, Lord Skelmersdale, described it, and that we will be able to see what reforms of the law would be constructive. I appreciate the Minister’s comment that removing all the clauses would simply revert the law to where it already is, which we do not believe is very satisfactory either. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment 27 withdrawn. Clause 17 : Orders requiring attendance at meetings Clause 17 : Orders requiring attendance at meetings Amendment 28 not moved. Schedule 1 : Schedule to the Street Offences Act 1959 Amendment 29 Schedule 1 : Schedule to the Street Offences Act 1959 Amendment 29 Moved by