Clause 1 - The Security Industry Authority
Private Security Industry Bill [Lords]
10:45 am
Mr Charles Clarke (Minister of State, Home Office; Norwich South, Labour)
This has been an interesting discussion. At the outset, I should say that I agree with the central thrust of the argument across the Committee.
My right hon. Friend the Member for Walsall, South did not give a great deal of time to the question that he raised on Second Reading on the independence and authority of the authority itself. I am sure that we shall debate that at length when we consider schedule 1, to which he has tabled amendment No. 6. There is an interrelationship between that matter and the issues that he has raised in this debate. The clause contains several references to specific charges on the authority to review the operation of the legislation, which I shall go through in order.
Subsection (2)(b) states that one of the authority's functions will be
``to keep under review generally the provision of security industry services and other services involving the activities of security operatives''.
That represents a substantial responsibility, which is reinforced by subsection (2)(g), which gives the authority the obligation and function
``to keep under review the operation of this Act.''
The authority must keep under review not only the provision of security industry services, but how the Act operates. That is an important obligation.
Subsection (4) states:
``Without prejudice to subsection (3), the Authority may, for any purpose connected with the carrying out of its functions—
(a) make proposals to the Secretary of State for the modification of any provision contained in or made under this Act; and
(b) undertake, or arrange for or support (whether financially or otherwise), the carrying out of research relating to the provision of security industry services and of other services involving the activities of security operatives.''
Those two substantial and significant powers will enable the authority to address the situation further and to face up to the challenges to which my right hon. Friend referred when he gave his analogy of the map of Africa. As we better understand the operation of the industry and its changing nature in the modern world, the undertaking, arranging or supporting of the carrying out of research will become important, and the Bill explicitly states that it is one of the authority's responsibilities.