B

Baroness Hamwee (LD)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 12 October 2026

Debate

Public Office (Accountability) Bill

Contribution

My Lords, I congratulate the noble Lord on raising a laugh on these rather niche issues. He used the term “disincentivise”, and I think that is the most important thing. To me, taking out the words “may be” would be a disincentive. If they are omitted, the duty would be watered down. It should be up to the person leading the inquiry to determine the relevance. It did make me wonder why “may be” is not also in new Section 23A of the 2005 Act, and I would have preferred to see it in Clause 2(3)(b) as well, to which the noble Lord has directed us. But any changes should support the provision of information and not have individuals thinking, “I do not suppose it really matters, and I will not provide it”.

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