New clause 17 - Register of Orders
Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Bill [Lords]
4:15 pm
Mr David Heath (Shadow Minister (Home Affairs), Home Affairs; Somerton and Frome, Liberal Democrat)
On the latter point, I entirely agree with the Minister. The most important thing is that we have the proposal, not whether it is in the Bill. I am
encouraged by what he said about the work that is already going on. We shall see whether PITO delivers, but we must hope that it will do so.
I would not underestimate the difficulties of establishing the initial database. It is no good if it starts from its day of creation and is not retrospective in terms of extant orders. I wonder how much thought has been given to the difficulties of ensuring that we have a comprehensive database of current orders from day one. However, if the register is a good idea and the Government are going to introduce it, I do not understand why there is reticence about including that intention in a part of the Bill where it makes so much sense for it to be clearly stated. Plenty of other registers are referred to in Acts of Parliament, without any need for such reference other than because the Minister at the time, on advice received, thought that it was a good idea to make it clear that they would be created and maintained. This register is apparently in a secondary tier of importance, which does not require it to be stated in a statute. I do not accept that, and I do not think that the Minister accepts it. However, I am happy to take his assurances at face value.
Like me, the Minister knows that this part of the Bill will work only if the register is operational. The police know that, too. The Police Federation supports the position that he and I are adopting. It is regrettable that the register is not made explicit, but I am more concerned that it is established in due course. I would be grateful if he kept me advised of progress during the coming months, because it is important that we watch to ensure that what is promised is delivered. As he knows, it has not always been the case in police IT that what is promised has been delivered.
We are entitled to be cautious, which is why I should have liked something written into the Bill. However, in light of what the Minister said, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the motion.
Motion and clause, by leave, withdrawn.