I think there will be a degree of disappointment at the response we have had from the Minister today, although I appreciate the offer that he
has made, along with the reply that he has given and the detail that he has gone into in order to explain the Government’s position. I also appreciate the contributions that we have had to the debate.
Bearing in mind that the Minister has offered to have the meeting between Home Office officials, himself and interested Peers—as I understand it, I think he said that he would consider whether Mr Ewins might also be there—and that the Government have said they will bring forward proposals in response to the Ewins report on Report of the Bill, I certainly have no intention of declining the offer that he has made. I thank him for making that offer and for giving the detailed explanation of where the Government now stand, and I can only sincerely express the hope that we are able to get to the point where the proposals that the Government bring forward on Report meet the wishes of the House and of those who have been campaigning so hard on this issue.
7.15 pm
I repeated, as did my noble friend Lady Lister, the comment made by the government Minister that, while she could not commit a future Government, the intention was that whoever was in government would implement the review’s recommendations. I hope we are not going to find ourselves in a position where that proves to be a statement of hope rather than a statement of fact. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment.