Clause 3 - Conduct prohibited without a licence
Private Security Industry Bill [Lords]
12:45 pm
Ms Rosie Winterton (Doncaster Central, Labour)
I want to speak briefly on the matter, because I fear that my constituents, who have suffered at the hands of wheelclampers, would be distressed by the amendment. Indeed, they would be so distressed that I am not sure that they should be told about it, but I fear that I may have to inform them of the actions of the Conservative party. They would be distressed because the amendment would allow wheelclamping to continue as at present, as many wheelclampers are not paid by the landowners from whose property they operate.
On Second Reading, Opposition Members expressed concerns about the activities of wheelclampers and I thought that they understood why it was necessary to license them. I also thought that they were aware that, frequently, landowners allow wheelclampers to operate on their land but do not employ or pay them, and they make it clear that that is the case. I fear that wheelclampers give under-the-counter money to landowners in return for being allowed to operate on their land, which is why the amendment was tabled in the other place. Landowners must take responsibility for what happens on their land.
I fear that the amendment will give wheelclampers free rein to carry on as before. As they are not paid for the hours that they work, they must collect fees and fines from the drivers of the cars that they clamp.