Alex White (Labour)

Whereas the Bill does not bring about any particular change, it is certainly highly relevant. I am not, as has been suggested, merely seizing upon a convenient opportunity to bounce the ball again. My concern about this matter could not be more relevant to this section, particularly in the context of the Lisbon treaty. It is somewhat unsatisfactory for the Minister of State to merely indicate that the matter was dealt with in 2007. We already know that. The Government is essentially confining to a Minister the power to establish an indictable offence. It would be better if the Minister of State made an effort to address the issue of substance and indicate, even if this was done two years ago, why such this measure will remain in place.