Baroness Kramer (LD)

My Lords, I know that I should be brief so let me simply say how much I appreciate all the speeches that have been made. We must find areas where we can make real progress to tackle the two issues of investigation and protection against retaliation and detriment. I hope that the whistleblowing consultation that is taking place does not become an excuse not to do that within the context of the Bill. I suspect that those of us who are engaged with this will, by Report, have come to some common ground. I hope that the Government will be part of finding that common ground, because that will be the most effective way to move forward. I certainly have some detailed answers to some of the issues that were raised. I believe some are in error—for example, on the cost of an office of the whistleblower. I have just got a note from the United States to say that this year alone whistleblowing cases led to a sending to the Treasury of $5.3 billion. That is because of the additional cases that were prosecuted. There are many issues like that that we could discuss. It is important, however, that we make progress. I thank the Government for being willing to listen; I hope that we can make some real progress and not simply depend on having an outcome from a consultation. As it reads, I find the consultation very disappointing as it is very narrow, but if the Minister is correct that we can open up that consultation to a much broader discussion then that would be exceedingly helpful. I encourage everyone to provide a much broader response; if they simply answer the questions we will see nothing other than a small movement of commas and full stops. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment.