---

Public Bodies Bill [Lords] (Programme) (No. 2)

No, I will not give way because of the lack of time. That is one of the issues that is at the heart of tonight's debate. We have an opportunity to do something to respond to those views. The Minister's response has been appalling. The Minister spent half of his speech on issues that were more or less off the subject, which is not surprising as he seems to have inhabited a parallel universe during most of his conversations with the groups who have put their case forward. At this of all times they urge the Government to do the right thing. I do not say this lightly, but in 14 years as a Member of the House I have seldom if ever read a more damning brief on the Government's performance than that which many Members will have received from the Royal British Legion. It said:"““Any suggestion that a Chief Coroner just for military inquests could achieve the essential reforms needed would be misguided and would entirely miss the point. It is not what we are calling for….The Government's costings are inflated””" as many Members have said. It continues:"““Ministers have tried to imply that we are to blame for reforms supposedly being 'delayed'. We totally reject this misleading charge. It is the Government that is delaying reform. It was the Government who cancelled the Chief Coroner's appointment after the post had been filled…Why should they””—" Families—"““have to go to expensive judicial review when they could appeal to a Chief Coroner to resolve issues more speedily and cost-effectively?””" There seems to be no indication from the Government Front Bench that the building up of a body of evidence from the excellent coroners who have been referred to is a crucial part to the process. Instead, we have heard from a Minister on the defensive describing a whole collection of twisted and complex arrangements that will do nothing whatsoever.