Member

The opponents of this Bill have criticised the noble and learned Lord, Lord Falconer, for not accepting their amendments, but on so many of the issues, the noble and learned Lord and those who support him simply do not agree with those amendments. We think that many of those amendments would have undermined the purpose and effect of the Bill. They would have made it exceptionally difficult, if not impossible, for those who want and need to use its provisions to do so. The way to resolve such disputes is to vote, and that is what we cannot do.