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7.15 pm
As my right hon. Friend well knows, there were two real concerns. The power to put previous convictions almost automatically into trials was a real worry. That has been well moderated by linking the power more closely to relevance. It will be a more effective provision and a fairer one as a result of the amendments that have been agreed to.
I move on to clause 42 and fraud. I reject entirely any suggestion that there has been any climbdown by those on the Government Benches. The clause remains in the Bill and, in due course, it may come into operation. If there is to be a further examination of it, I hope that my right hon. Friend will not ignore Labour Back-Bench Members who have taken a close interest in the clause.
As one of those who has taken such an interest, and one who combines the role of being a lawyer with being a dutiful and certainly a hard-working Member, I am extremely interested in protecting my constituents from the adverse effects of crime. I say to my right hon. Friend that there is no conflict between those two roles. It is the firm intention of lawyers who are Labour Back-Bench Members to fulfil both roles properly. I congratulate my right hon. Friend. He has shown appropriate resolution with appropriate flexibility. It is now a good Bill.
Mr. Garnier : I had not intended to speak because it is late and people want to go home. However, the Home Secretary mentioned me by name. I am sorry that I irritated him to such an extent that he was put to reading The Times, which clearly tickled him.
The shadow Home Secretary in 1993, the current Prime Minister, said during the course of the debate on the Runciman royal commission on matters similar to this:
- "Fundamental rights to justice cannot be driven by administrative convenience."
The Home Secretary said that he wanted the Bill to be part of the modernisation of the criminal justice system, and he hopes that it will lead the way to a criminal justice system fit for the 21st century. I leave him with two thoughts. Perhaps we could stop passing Criminal Justice Bills every year and allow the system to bed down a touch. Those of us who have the enjoyable duty of attending Judicial Studies Board courses at regular intervals find ourselves being laughed at by those who are judges but not Members for allowing extraordinary numbers of Bills to go through that alter the system pretty well every other Wednesday. At the same time, we have the tiresome duty of having to learn it all up, which is not everybody's joy.
If the Home Secretary wants to do one thing to modernise the criminal justice system, I ask him to consider, if nothing else, that criminal law legislation needs to be codified as soon as possible. That would do all of us a great deal of good. The right hon. Gentleman might even provide himself with a monument that would be worth looking to.
Lords amendments Nos. 32E to 32L agreed to.
Lords amendment No. 33 disagreed to.
Government amendments (a) to (j) to the words so restored agreed to, and Government consequential amendment (a) agreed to.
Lords amendment No. 34J agreed to.
Lords amendment No. 121 disagreed to.
Government amendment (a) to the words so restored agreed to.
Lords amendment No. 126 disagreed to.
Government amendment (a) to words restored agreed to.
6.19 pm
Sitting suspended, pursuant to Order [10 November].
Royal Assent
9.16 pm
Mr. Speaker: I have to acquaint the House that the House has been to the House of Peers, where a Commission under the Great Seal was read, authorising the Royal Assent to the following Acts:
Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003
Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003
Prorogation
Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech
Mr. Speaker: I have further to acquaint the House that the Lord High Chancellor, one of the Lord Commissioners, delivered Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament, in pursuance of Her Majesty's Command. For greater accuracy, I have obtained a copy and also directed that the terms of the speech be printed in the Journal of the House. Copies are being made available in the Vote Office.
The Gracious Speech was as follows:
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
My Government has taken action in support of major programmes of reform in the priority areas of crime, health and transport.
My Government is committed to reforming the criminal justice system, to deliver justice for all and to safeguard the interests of victims, witnesses and communities.
An Act has been passed to provide the police and other agencies with effective tools to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Legislation has been passed to reform sentencing arrangements and to modernise criminal procedures to protect the public and reduce re-offending.
An Act has also been passed reforming the courts system. This will allow Magistrates' Courts and the Crown Court to work more effectively together under a single organisation and will reform the system for enforcing fines and other non-custodial penalties.
Legislation has also been passed modernising the laws on sexual offences, strengthening the framework of penalties for sex offenders to protect the public.
In addition, legislation has been passed improving international co-operation in tackling serious crime, including terrorism and modernising the arrangements for international mutual assistance to prosecute criminals.
My Government continues to modernise the delivery of healthcare based on the founding principles of the National Health Service. Legislation has been passed to introduce incentives to ensure that hospital discharges are not delayed and that those needing community care are fully supported.
Legislation has been passed to devolve power and resources to frontline staff, giving greater patient choice and more freedom to successful hospitals while increasing their accountability to local communities and introducing independent health and social care inspectorates.
Legislation has been passed to improve the delivery of local services through better financial management and greater freedom for councils.
An Act has been passed to improve railway and transport safety, establishing a Rail Accident Investigation Body with effective evidence-gathering powers, reforming the body responsible for regulating the railways and introducing alcohol testing on board maritime vessels and in civil aviation.
Draft legislation has been, brought forward on a number of matters including civil contingencies, housing, nuclear liabilities, corruption and mental incapacity.
Members of the House of Commons
I thank you for the provision you have made for the work and dignity of the Crown and for the public service.
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
My Government continues to work closely with the political parties and the Irish Government to secure the full implementation of the Belfast Agreement. Legislation has been passed which establishes an Independent Monitoring Commission to report on the ongoing commitments connected with the implementation of the Belfast Agreement. An Act has also been passed amending legislation on policing in Northern Ireland.
My Government maintains its commitment to devolution in Scotland and Wales. Legislation has been passed reforming the provision of health services in Wales.
Legislation has been passed providing for the holding of referendums in any English region except London on the establishment of elected regional assemblies and other preparations for the implementation of elected regional government.
In addition, legislation has been passed to create a new regulatory framework for the communications sector to promote competition and investment, establishing a new regulatory body, implementing European Union telecoms directives, and reforming rules on media ownership.
An Act has been passed modernising and streamlining the law governing premises selling alcohol, providing public entertainment and late night refreshment, including important measures for tackling anti-social behaviour.
An Act has been passed allowing the Secretary of State to specify the pay, terms and conditions of the Fire Service and to direct the Fire Service on its use of facilities and assets.
Legislation has been passed improving water management and conservation, establishing an independent Consumer Council for Water, reforming the regulatory system for water and promoting competition in the water industry.
An Act has also been passed providing for the development of a strategy for reducing the amount of biodegradable waste going to landfill and help ensure the UK meets its climate change commitments.
Other important measures have been enacted.
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