---

Bribery Bill [HL]

My Lords, my colleagues in another place accepted the Government’s amendment yesterday, so I intend to keep my comments very brief. We have a satisfactory Bill. We gave a commitment some time ago that we hoped to see it on statute book, and, on this last day, I think that we are getting very close to that point. However, we must not be complacent about the Bill once it passes from this House and receives Royal Assent. We are creating new law to replace the antiquated collection of rules that were in place before the Bill came about, so we must take care to see that it works in practice. The Minister will be aware that some nervousness on the part of the business community remains—not because it wants to continue corrupt practices, of course, but because it wants to be 100 per cent sure that it is complying with the law. For that reason, I want an assurance from the Minister about the guidance. When will the Government publish that? Will he confirm that prosecutions will not commence under this Act until the Government have published clear guidance, prepared in consultation with the relevant groups?