Children and Adoption Bill [HL]

I thank my noble friend for his very detailed reply. I do not intend to start a debate about the various points he raised, although I feel a little tempted to do so. It seems to me that overall we have to prove to my noble friend that legislation is necessary and that what we have at the moment is not robust enough to protect children at risk. My noble friend has said that in a number of cases there is sympathy with our wishes. That is not enough. We have to make absolutely certain that children are not at risk. My noble friend Lady Thornton and I will go away and do some more work. We will produce more evidence in order to try and persuade the Minister that what he has said about registration not being needed is incorrect. I thank the noble Earls and my noble friend Lady Pitkeathley for their comments in the debate. I am sure that we shall return to the matter again. For the moment, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendments Nos. 7 to 9 not moved.]