division_name: Rehabilitation of Offenders
motion: <p class="indent" pid="a173.0/2" pwmotiontext="yes">That the draft Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019, which was laid before this House on <phrase class="date" code="2019-04-01">1 April</phrase>, be approved.</p>
  
  <p class="indent" pid="a173.2/2" pwmotiontext="yes">&#8220;The first question is: does the individual have spent convictions, yes or no? If the answer is yes, are they relevant? Will they be treated anonymously? If they apply for anonymity, will that be agreed to? Further, even if it is not anonymous, is the hearing held in private or in public? If it is held in private, could the information then be published?&#8221;&#8212;[Official Report, House of Lords, <phrase class="date" code="2019-05-20">20 May</phrase> 2019; Vol. 797, c. 1792.]</p>
  
  <p class="indent" pid="a178.1/3" pwmotiontext="yes">&#8220;My Lords, I well understand the need for this order in respect of the application that has been made, but innovating the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act to any extent can be done only as a matter of principle. It cannot be done ad hoc for a particular inquiry. Therefore, what is the principle under which it would be allowable in respect of this inquiry? The answer is that it is required to fulfil the inquiry&#8217;s remit. Only that would justify it. The application says, &#8216;We cannot fulfil the remit we have been given unless we are allowed to examine this matter&#8217;.</p>
  
  <p class="indent" pid="a178.1/4" pwmotiontext="yes">In my submission, it is extremely difficult to have an ad hoc system.&#8221;&#8212;[Official Report, House of Lords, <phrase class="date" code="2019-05-20">20 May</phrase> 2019; Vol. 797, c. 1788-89.]</p>
  
  <p class="indent" pid="a179.0/4" pwmotiontext="yes">&#8220;a sledge-hammer to crack a walnut.&#8221;&#8212;[Official Report, House of Lords, <phrase class="date" code="2019-05-20">20 May</phrase> 2019; Vol. 797, c. 1786.]</p>
  
  <p class="indent" pid="a179.0/7" pwmotiontext="yes">&#8220;the public may know more than the inquiry chairman.&#8221;&#8212;[Official Report, House of Lords, <phrase class="date" code="2019-05-20">20 May</phrase> 2019; Vol. 797, c. 1791.]</p>
  
  <p class="indent" pid="a179.0/13" pwmotiontext="yes">&#8220;the breadth of the power and what impact it might have on the lives of those who have been rehabilitated.&#8221;</p>