Clause 8 - Tests for registration: utility and least suffering
Hunting Bill
2:30 pm
Mr Rob Marris (Wolverhampton South West, Labour)
Either the hon. Gentleman is misreading the framework of the Bill, or I am. He just talked about an applicant having to prove something beyond all reasonable doubt. My understanding is that, because it is a tribunal, the civil onus of proof would apply. That relates to the balance of probabilities and is very different from having to prove something beyond reasonable doubt. The hon. Gentleman mentioned past figures. It is like the stock market; past performance gives an indication of future performance, but there are no certainties.