Member

As the Minister knows, I have pressed many times on the timing of the publication of the new primary legislation because, as I am sure she agrees, having legal certainty on these issues is in everyone’s best interests. Perhaps it is the legal limbo or vacuum that we currently face—knowing that the legacy Act will be repealed but not yet knowing what the Labour Government will propose in its stead—that is resulting in important but slightly difficult debates such as we have had this evening. No doubt she will reply “When parliamentary time allows”, as she usually does, but I encourage the Government again to ensure that they consult widely and publish the draft legislation as soon as possible—hopefully by Easter Recess—so that we can all begin to look at it.