Clause 6 - Influencing a prosecutor
Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords]
10:00 am
Mr Dominic Grieve (Beaconsfield, Conservative)
I am sorry but not surprised to hear the Minister's response. Having spent many hours on Bills in the past three years, I find that modern drafting is constantly a matter of implication and inference. I happen to think that that is very poor drafting practice. A very unfortunate impression is created when the clarity of previous legislation is compared with what has been produced by the modern practice that is creeping in—although I must accept that the present case is by no means the worst example.
There is a constant requirement for second-guessing about what is implied. The words ''whether or not'' are a very well established grammatical form, but they have been abandoned in the clause for no good reason. However, as I suppose we shall be able to consult Hansard to find out what the Minister meant, even though it will not be clear in the Bill, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.