Clause 7 - Licensing criteria
Private Security Industry Bill [Lords]
9:55 am
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham, Conservative)
I beg to move amendment No. 34, in page 6, line 26, at end insert—
`(2A) Before publishing or revising the document mentioned in subsection (1), the Authority shall consult—
(a) Persons whom it considers to represent the interests of the private security industry in England and Wales;
(b) Persons whom it considers to represent the interests of the police in England and Wales.'.
The amendment relates to the consultation that might be undertaken by the Security Industry Authority before making decisions on the grant of licences. The Minister will know, and I hope that all members of the Committee will be conscious of, the breadth of the powers that clause 7 affords the SIA when determining the criteria for the granting of licences. I emphasise that I am not cavilling at the breadth of those criteria, but with power comes responsibility and, I hope, an emphasis on accountability for its exercise. That is why my hon. Friends and I have tabled the amendment. It would require the authority before the publication or revision of the document under subsection (1) to consult persons whom it considers to be appropriate. We want to probe the Government's intentions. How are the criteria to be determined? Will there be consultation with the police and the security industry? What element of glasnost is intended to attach to the procedure? Will the Minister provide further and better particulars about what the Government have in mind?