Clause 73 - Urgent investigative steps
Criminal Justice Bill
6:15 pm
Mr Hilary Benn (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Home Office; Leeds Central, Labour)
What is to be authorised is those considerations that are implied and pretty clear from clause 73. The hon. Gentleman asked what was the purpose of the authorisation; it is because someone will have to make a judgment—and the clause specifically provides for an officer of the rank of superintendent or above to make that judgment.
In answer to the second point raised by the hon. Member for Witney, given the seriousness of the change that we are making by amending the rules on double jeopardy, the Committee has rightly taken a considerable time to ensure that the rules, safeguards and conditions applied to making the change are fully set out, and that is why they are specified in the Bill and not in regulations. It is another safeguard.
Question put and agreed to.
Clause 73 ordered to stand part of the Bill.
Clauses 74 to 76 ordered to stand part of the Bill.