HL Deb 20 November 2003 vol 654 c2111

126 Leave out Clause 101

126A The Commons insist on their disagreement with the Lords in their amendment, do not insist on their Amendment No. 131H to which the Lords have disagreed, and propose the following amendment to the words restored to the Bill by the disagreement insisted upon—

126B Page 65, line 47, at end insert:—

  1. '(2) In proceedings for an offence committed or alleged to have been committed by the defendant when aged 21 or over, evidence of his conviction for an offence when under the age of 14 is not admissible unless—
    1. (a) both of the offences are triable only on indictment, and
    2. (b) the court is satisfied that the interests of justice require the evidence to be admissible.
  2. (3) Subsection (2) applies in addition to section 93.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do not insist on its Amendment No. 126 and do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 126B. I have already spoken to this amendment.

Moved, That the House do not insist on its Amendment No. 126 and do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 126B.—(Baroness Scotland of Asthal.)

Baroness Walmsley

My Lords, having striven mightily in the interests of young people who find themselves in trouble with the justice system, I take this opportunity to thank the Government and, in particular, the noble Baroness, Lady Scotland, for the concession on Clause 101. A cross-party consensus in your Lordships' House has tried to improve the Bill on behalf of young people. I believe that that concession presages a very constructive way forward. After the Queen's Speech and in the new Session I believe that we shall look at issues that relate to youth justice. I look forward to the constructive consultation that we shall undertake in your Lordships' House with the Minister and noble Lords on all Benches. I thank the Government very much, as I believe that the concession is a step in the right direction.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

My Lords, I have one thank you to make, but it is one that I really wish to express. The staff who have served us have done so brilliantly and extremely well. On behalf of the whole House I thank them: the Whips officers, the Doorkeepers and all those who have kept us sane as the Bill has made its way through the House.

Lord Hunt of Wirral

My Lords, I endorse every word that the noble Baroness has said. If I did not make it clear before, I stress that the workload that she assumes is enormous— it is too high a level of work. I hope that she may receive more support from her colleagues in the coming Session. I thank her and I join with her in thanking all the staff.

On Question, Motion agreed to.

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