New clause 2 - Application of sections 30 and 31
Crime (International Co-operation) Bill [Lords]
4:30 pm
Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath, Conservative)
It would be helpful to have new clause 2 as a safeguard in respect of clauses 31 and 32. The information—what I might call the warnings—to the witnesses should be written in ordinary language. I shall not detain the Committee by stressing in great detail the support on the Opposition Benches for the use of plain English, but as the Minister knows from previous debates I have always been a strong supporter of the plain English campaign. I say that despite being a lawyer. I am one of those lawyers who used to support the plain English campaign even when I practised.
New clause 3 is a sensible provision for the avoidance of doubt. It would ensure that we do not get into danger of surrendering our sovereignty. Some of the relevant issues were debated in another place on 23 January in columns GC 104 to 105. There is no point repeating what my noble Friends Baroness Anelay of St. Johns and Lord Renton of Mount Harry said. I am sure that the Minister has read that, too. I beg to move new clauses 2.