Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill

I too should declare an interest, in that I have practised at the criminal Bar since 1990. I congratulate the Minister on at least having the decency to bring in clause 12 through primary legislation, unlike the previous Government, who sought to bring in such a measure through secondary legislation until they were prevented from doing so by the High Court. I am afraid, however, that that is the limit of my congratulations, because—