Clause 4 - Service of process otherwise than by post
Crime (International Co-operation) Bill [Lords]
2:30 pm
Mr David Heath (Somerton and Frome, Liberal Democrat)
That is a helpful suggestion, but I am sure that the Minister will tell us is that no problems have ensued. That will often be the case; the previous legislation has not created a great number of legal problems. I am happy that that is so, but that does not reduce our requirement, in giving the Bill proper scrutiny, to consider the matter, including whether the provisions might cause a possibility of challenge in future. If there are ways of avoiding that challenge, it is sensible for us to use them and to adopt a different
wording, if appropriate. Perhaps the Minister could satisfy the hon. Lady on that point, and say what arrangements have been used, whether they would have been in accordance with rules of court had they been applied, and how often those exceptional circumstances arise. At the very least, the Minister could give a few examples for the benefit of the Committee.