Member

Turning briefly to amendments tabled by other Members, I know that the hon. Members for Bexhill and Battle (Dr Mullan) and for Chichester (Jess Brown-Fuller) will speak to their new clauses 25 and 15 to insert a sunset clause to repeal the measures if they are found to be ineffective. As I have said, these measures are principled and pragmatic. They are not simply a short-term emergency fix; they recognise that fundamental changes in crime, evidence and the nature of technology require that we put our courts on a sustainable footing for the 21st century. We believe in these reforms, and we think they are here for the long term. Our ambition therefore extends beyond simply reducing court delays to delivering lasting improvements in how the justice system operates, including a better balance between the interests of victims and defendants.