Clause 189 - Use of statements obtained under competition act 1998
Enterprise Bill
6:30 pm
Miss Melanie Johnson (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry; Welwyn Hatfield, Labour)
The safeguard prevents statements that have been obtained under compulsion in a civil
investigation under the Competition Act being used against the person who made them for the purpose of prosecuting the new offence. It is common practice in criminal law for persons to lose that protection where they make inconsistent statements or voluntarily provide information. Our approach is entirely consistent with sections 2(8) and (8AA) of the Criminal Justice Act 1987. We therefore resist the amendment. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will withdraw it.