Clause 7 - Requests for assistance in obtaining
Crime (International Co-operation) Bill [Lords]
3:15 pm
Mr James Paice (South East Cambridgeshire, Conservative)
I am glad to see that the Minister acknowledges that that is the case. He always addresses these matters seriously, and I am sure that on this occasion he will do so again.
It would be tremendously helpful and important for the Bill to state a clear obligation. I am sure that the Attorney-General is right that we are not obliged to do that by any international agreements: I do not suggest that what he said in another place about that is inaccurate. However, the fact that something is not required by an international obligation does not mean that it would not be helpful. In this House, we have a duty to ensure that where there are changes to our arrangements, such as those that this law introduces, they take account of the best possible procedures that we could have.
The Bill should include something that clarifies the position, even if that is not required by any international obligations. I do not think that that will be an unnecessarily burdensome hurdle. This is an important matter, and I will listen with interest to what the Minister has to say, but I hope that he will understand the serious spirit in which I am putting this forward.
Mr. Ainsworth indicated assent.