Clause 36 - Notification of non-payment of charges
Communications Bill
12:00 pm
Mr Stephen Timms (Minister of State (e-Commerce & Competitiveness), Department of Trade and Industry; East Ham, Labour)
I am happy to reflect on what the hon. Gentleman said. However, it is not clear to me that the alternative is the nuclear option that he outlined. Enforcement is an essential part of a charging system, and it is important that the money involved is recovered. I will reflect on the point that the hon. Gentleman made, and on whether explicit legislative sanction would be required. It would be possible to enforce the penalty by normal procedures—court orders and so on. That is the mechanism through which it is envisaged that money would be recovered. I shall reflect further on whether provisions on interest are necessary, though it is not clear to me why they should be.