New clause 2 - Application of sections 30 and 31
Crime (International Co-operation) Bill [Lords]
4:30 pm
Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath, Conservative)
As I expected, the Minister has given a similar response to that which was given in another place by his noble Friend Lord Bassam of Brighton. The Minister has slightly expanded on what was said at column GC105. However, my noble Friend Baroness Anelay of St. Johns said, on 23 January:
''My difficulty still remains. We shall be enforcing a system whereby someone could be accused of an offence of contempt which was not committed in this country.''—[Official Report, House of Lords, 23 January 2003; Vol. 643, c. GC105.]
We are still not entirely satisfied on this issue, but nothing will be served by taking the matter forward any further today. My hon. Friend the Member for South-East Cambridgeshire and I will confer with our noble Friends in another place, because they might want to return to this matter.
However, for the moment, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the motion.
Motion and clause, by leave, withdrawn.
Further consideration adjourned.—[Mr. Heppell.]
Adjourned accordingly at fourteen minutes to Five o'clock till Tuesday 17 June at ten minutes past Nine o'clock.