Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill

That was a pretty negative response, if I may say so. Although I shall withdraw my amendment, pending Report, I am very glad that I have a slot for my Private Member’s Bill on 1 July, when we will have the opportunity to discuss the matter in more detail. It was mentioned several times by people in the discussion of the Bill proposed by my noble friend Lord Tyler. Indeed, my noble friend himself said that it would be a very useful follow-on for his Bill. Others welcomed it, too. Frankly, the point made by my noble friend Lord Wallace about the traffic is pretty irrelevant; it is not in any way involved in what I am suggesting, nor is it involved in what the Government suggest in their Bill. So that is a bit of a distraction. There seems to be an idea that this matter should be just pushed into the long grass. I know that the Home Office is very reluctant to accept views from outside, but there are occasions when it has to. I remind the House that in 1997 I proposed an amendment to have a national register of firearms on a computerised system. For 10 years, the department played ““Yes Minister”” in order not to get it. Fortunately, every Minister during that time on both sides did their best to get it done and, eventually, it was put into practice. It is now working extremely well. When the noble Lord, Lord Corbett, who was then chairman of the Home Affairs Committee in another place, called the Permanent Secretary to the Home Office to ask why this proposal, which had been enacted, had not been carried forward, he was told, ““It was never our idea—it was Lord Marlesford’s idea. We have our own views””. The noble Lord said, ““But it’s law””. Anyway, the Home Office did it eventually. I am sorry that my noble friend Lord Wallace does not feel inclined to take a slightly more positive view than he has done. I am glad that we will have a debate on 1 July, and I hope that noble Lords will come and take part in it—and I look forward to bringing back the amendment at Report. Meanwhile, I beg leave to withdraw it. Amendment 244ZCCA withdrawn. Clause 144 agreed. Amendment 244ZCD not moved. Clause 145 : Directions under section 144: further provision Clause 145 : Directions under section 144: further provision Amendments 244ZCE to 244ZEZA not moved. Clause 145 agreed. Clause 146 : Power to seize property Clause 146 : Power to seize property Amendments 244ZEA to 244ZEF not moved. Clause 146 agreed. Clause 147 agreed. Clause 148 : Authorisation for operation of amplified noise equipment Clause 148 : Authorisation for operation of amplified noise equipment Amendments 244ZEG and 244ZEH not moved. Clause 148 agreed. Clause 149 : Meaning of ““authorised officer”” and ““responsible authority”” Clause 149 : Meaning of ““authorised officer”” and ““responsible authority”” Amendments 244ZF and 244ZG not moved. Clause 149 agreed. Clause 150 agreed. Amendment 244A had been withdrawn from the Marshalled List. Amendment 244AA not moved. Clause 151 agreed. Clause 152 : Temporary control of drugs Amendment 244AB Clause 152 : Temporary control of drugs Amendment 244AB Moved by