Criminal Defence Service Bill [HL]

I apologise for not being present at Second Reading. However, I read the entire debate—not that it took long—and enjoyed the candour with which the Minster confessed to a certain lack of clarity in the drafting, particularly in regard to the distribution of responsibilities that we are now considering. She said that she had been informed that there is a technical reason for what is complained of in my noble friend’s amendment which relates to the previous Act. But doubt appears to have been cast upon that and now we have an opportunity to reserve to the Lord Chancellor, whose office is, happily, to be retained, a function that is surely properly his—namely, dealing with matters of this character—and to make it clear that it should not be allocated to the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs. I support my noble friend’s amendment.