Clause 70
Coroners and Justice Bill
1:00 pm
Maria Eagle (Parliamentary Secretary, Government Equalities Office; Liverpool, Garston, Labour)
Good afternoon, Mr Cook, and members of the Committee. At our previous sitting, I was just coming to the end of my remarks to persuade the Committee that it is not necessary, as the amendments seek, to extend the provisions for witness anonymity to the coronial system. I had made most of my arguments, and it is not necessary to repeat them.
Those members of the Committee involved in the Criminal Evidence (Witness Anonymity) Act 2008 will recall that the legislation was brought forward to deal with a problem arising from the House of Lords judgment in the case of Davis. It was not enacted, because we sought to replace common-law rules on witness anonymity with statutory rules. Our hand was made to move, as a consequence of that judgment. That did not relate to anything other than common law, and it was clear that the coronial system was perfectly able to cope as it currently works. On that basis, we do not accept amendments that would extend the breach of the statutory provisions to the coronial system. I hope that my explanation has satisfied those who spoke in the debate and that the hon. and learned Gentleman will be able to withdraw the amendment.