Clause 192 - Offences
Enterprise Bill
6:30 pm
Miss Melanie Johnson (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry; Welwyn Hatfield, Labour)
I crave your indulgence, Mr. Beard, in relation to amendment No. 142, which was not moved. I believe that it has some merit. [Interruption.] Perversely, hon. Members may feel the opposite. I believe not that there is merit in reducing the period to three years, but that there may be merit in considering a seven-year period. Strong arguments could be advanced for aligning sentences under this clause and under clause 179. I had intended to say that I was grateful to hon. Members for having highlighted the issue, and that I should like to return to it on Report.
Mr. Waterson: I am grateful for that indication, and I shall try to leave more amendments unmoved in future, if that is to be the reaction. I am delighted. If the hon. Lady wants to return to the matter later, we shall be only too pleased.