Clause 190 - Surveillance powers
Enterprise Bill
6:30 pm
Mr Mark Field (Cities of London and Westminster, Conservative)
I have grave concerns about some of the civil liberties implications of this proposal. I hope that it is not simply a matter of the measure being lifted intact from the 1987 Act and plonked into the relevant slot in this Bill. Extensive surveillance powers are being given to the OFT, which is predominantly an investigative as opposed to a prosecution body. The powers seem not only excessive, but possibly unnecessary. I would be interested in having guidance, both to alleviate the concerns expressed by my hon. Friend the Member for Huntingdon and myself, and to give me some idea why the powers are so extensive.