Clause 3 - Code of practice about use of information powers
Social Security Fraud Bill [Lords]
10:15 am
Mrs Jacqui Lait (Beckenham, Conservative)
I absolutely accept the assurances that the utilities will provide addresses rather than names. However, it is possible to match names and addresses simply by looking at the land register or the electoral register, which may be done by computer. Although fishing expeditions are officially frowned on, they remain possible under the code of practice and, owing to concerns about that point, we are keen that the House should debate the code of practice when it is finally agreed. We will discuss another group of amendments about the seniority of the authorised officers. That is another issue that will need to be resolved before the code of practice is published in its final form.
We shall want an affirmative resolution debate on the code of practice to ensure that all the issues that we have raised in Committee, on Report and Third Reading have been legitimately agreed to. The Government have been generous in amending the Bill to allow such a debate in the Lords. The easiest and most generous way in which they could deal with the matter would be to allow an affirmative resolution debate on the code of practice and any subsequent amendments.