New Clause 3 - Relief of small motor salvage operators from excessive expense and bookkeeping, etc
Vehicles (Crime) Bill
4:42 pm
Mr Michael Fabricant (Lichfield, Conservative)
I must confess that I had forgotten precisely where I was in my speech, but I shall resist the temptation to recap all that I said this morning.
Subsection (4) is inappropriate. I believe that it is quite proper for a police officer to have the right to enter and inspect domestic premises if business is carried on there. I have some sympathy with hobbyists and those who provide spare parts that have a low value, and I was comparing that provision with a similar provision in the Medway Council Bill; the Kent police took the view that it might be too burdensome for business to have to record every transaction, particularly those transactions with a low value. Does the Minister believe that it might be worth introducing such an amendment on Report?
What is the Minister's view on the sliding scale? Does he plan to table an amendment on Report—or even now, as we have had a few hours to consider the matter since this morning's Sitting—on what the limits should be and whether those proposed in subsection (1) are appropriate?