Lord Harper (Con)

My Lords, the noble and learned Lord, Lord Falconer, gave a very welcome response to the opening speech of the noble Baroness, Lady Finlay. He set out a range of protections that there may be. Once he has had those conversations, if he is persuaded that there need to be some protections, will he be prepared to table his own amendments on Report to put those protections and assurances in the legislation, or will he do what the Delegated Powers Committee referred to as disguise legislation, which is only putting it in codes of practice and guidance? I think it would be widely agreed that if we are going to have those protections, it is better that they are in the Bill. They then cannot be watered down and can be properly enforced. Could he indicate that to all noble Lords after he has had those conversations with those who are interested? The disadvantage of having private meetings is that you are not able to tell other people. If the noble and learned Lord wants proceedings to go faster and to table his own amendments on Report and prevent the need for other people to do so, can he indicate that, once he has had those conversations, he would be willing bring forward those amendments and put those protections in the legislation. I am sure that would be most welcome. If he could indicate his thinking on that today, that would be of help to the House.