Police and Justice Bill

I thank the Minister for responding with her customary courtesy and fluency, and for covering a large number—though not all—of the issues that have been raised. I also thank all those who have spoken with such power and lucidity and covered so many aspects of the subject. When people look at Hansard, they will see much more than any one individual has been able to cover. I am unconvinced by the Minister’s argument about the individuals who are chosen. She has to remember that they were choosing independent stand-alone people, and, as my successor, Anne Owers, has commented, you will get a different quality of people asking to be stand-alone rather than as deputies to someone else. I am afraid I do not recognise this excellent criminal justice system described by the Minister as straining at the leash on the starting blocks. What I saw was a series of warring tribes, each competing against each other for ever-diminishing resources, who needed to be brought together. Each tribe had failings, which have been brought out in public and need to be addressed. Many of the Minister’s remarks appeared to be directed more at the chief inspector of the criminal justice system—or of justice, community, safety and custody—rather than to the Chief Inspector of Prisons as a person. I respectfully submit that we have not yet heard any real comment on the points made about the optional protocol. The Minister closed by suggesting that I might withdraw the amendment, and that we should all pause to consider. To quote the noble Baroness, Lady Linklater, I do so reluctantly, but we would all benefit from time to pause. I hope that the Minister will do so, and that we will come back on Report ready to resume this debate. I look forward to seeing the amendments that the Government may put forward, because I assure them that I personally—and, I am sure, other noble Lords—will be pressing on Report to raise this issue again and make certain we have got it covered. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Clause 26 agreed to. Clause 27 agreed to.