New clause 42 - Powers of authorised officers executing warrants
Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Bill [Lords]
10:30 am
Mr Christopher Leslie (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs; Shipley, Labour)
I regret that it was not possible to table these amendments and new clauses earlier. In the event, we have had longer—about a week—to consider the details. The reason why they were delayed was that we saw an opportunity to make what I regard as vital changes to the law. As I explain the nature and contents of the amendments, I hope that it will become clear that they are an important addition to the arsenal available to the court to ensure that sentences for criminal offences are enforced correctly. That is their primary purpose. In ensuring the effectiveness of the criminal justice system, it is the Government's top priority to make greater use of fines and to enforce those fines once they are imposed.
Significant progress is being made in improving the enforcement regimes, but some individuals clearly remain who will persistently try to evade the system and default a court sentence. We need to ensure that we are capable of effective enforcement at all times. I would like to emphasise that the amendments will not apply to bailiffs working for the civil court.