Clause 1 - Closure notice
Anti-social Behaviour Bill
10:45 am
Mr Bob Ainsworth (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Home Office; Coventry North East, Labour)
I have absolutely no objection to the hon. Gentleman's slapping down the Liberal Democrats, but he must address the point. We are talking about very dangerous circumstances. He accepts that consultation should take place and that the power should be used strategically. Does he envisage consultation taking place at the appropriate level and the local authority, without the agreement of the police, making the decision to close down a crack house? What if police investigations are ongoing, with a view to prosecution? What if for some reason the police do not feel able to share information fully with the local authority? We cannot allow a local authority to initiate action in this area.