Continued Petitions

We need the Government to be clear on the issue. I can see the arguments in favour of the petition and, equally, I can see the consequences, not all of which are good for organisations. In addition, pressure might be put on victims who are reluctant to share. There needs to be greater scope in the discussion, so perhaps we should ask the Government what it is going to do and how it proposes to take the issue forward. I do not think that we can ask the Government to legislate immediately. We need to take soundings from all who are involved, because the issue is not simple or straightforward.

The paper suggests writing to the chair of the inquiry to highlight the petition. The inquiry is likely to run for a considerable period of time, so I am not averse to that, but the Government must give some indication of whether it will pull stakeholders together, because there are arguments for and against.