Clause 1 - National Policing Plan
Police Reform Bill [Lords]
10:45 am
Mr Norman Baker (Lewes, Liberal Democrat)
I hear what the Minister says and I suppose that his argument about a potentially endless list is valid. However, it was not entirely fair to
compare victims and witnesses, important though they may be, with direct parts of the police family, drawn in many ways from existing police forces and police authorities, as my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Dorset and North Poole said.
Once again, the Minister asks us to rely on his assurances and good will. As I have said, I have no problem with his assurances and good will, but how long will he or the Home Secretary be in office? We are not here to draft legislation based on the personalities who happen to be in office at the moment and what they are likely to do. Our role is to draft useful legislation that will stand the test of time.