Clause 76 - Conduct and benefit
Proceeds of Crime Bill
4:45 pm
Mr Norman Baker (Lewes, Liberal Democrat)
I agree with the Minister's analysis that it is a question of applying the general test in each case. It may be that a critical mass of money is required for an investment, in which case the hon. Member for Glasgow, Pollok is correct. On the other hand, if one invests £3 million in shares, the return may be no different from, or three times as much as what one would get if one invested £1 million in shares. Therefore, there is no advantage to having the extra money for that investment. It depends on the circumstances.
I have been wrestling with the subsection and trying to understand what it means—I also declare an interest in that I am not a lawyer and therefore look at things in plain English. Some of the Bill is in plain English: clause 79(2), for instance, is a clear statement. Clause 76(6), however, is not a clear statement. Will the Minister explain the relevance of the phrase ''and some other'' at the end of subsection (6)? What would be the implication if that phrase were not included?