Clause 3 - Applications for Registration andRenewal of Registration
Vehicles (Crime) Bill
12:30 pm
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham, Conservative)
I am sorry, Mr. O'Brien. I thought that you would invite the Minister to speak. I apologise for being slow to get to my feet.
I would like to focus my remarks, briefly, less on the issue of whether the clause should stand part than on new clause 8. Members of the Committee will recall that, in relation to the provisions for registration of registration plate suppliers, I argued that there should be an offence, punishable by a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, of making a false application to register. I received an encouraging response at the time from the Under-Secretary. Without wishing to compromise private exchanges, I must say that I have been given reasonable grounds for optimism in relation to the purpose and broad content of the new clause to which I am speaking.
The same principle applies as before: the line of redress for the provision of inaccurate information must be clear. The seriousness that the Committee attaches to the registration process and the importance of its fairness and accuracy would be underlined if we made it an offence for anyone knowingly to make
a false application under section 3.
That person
should be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.
I do not think that I need to support my point at greater length, although other hon. Members may wish to contribute. I am especially interested in the Minister's response.