Prosecutions
Energy Bill [Lords]
3:30 pm
Mr Stephen Timms (Minister of State (e-Commerce & Competitiveness), Department of Trade and Industry; East Ham, Labour)
There is a need for clarity and there will be clarity. I do not think that that will be a problem at all. I had hoped that the hon. Gentleman would answer the question asked by the hon. Member for Vale of York. He almost did, but, if I understand the position correctly, not quite.
The general rule is that the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions is required before proceedings can be instituted in England and Wales. Similarly, the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland is needed before any proceedings can begin there. However, there is no provision for proceedings in Scotland because the consent of the Lord Advocate is needed in all cases without enactment here being necessary. The point is already covered as a matter of Scottish common law.
Question put and agreed to.
Clause 87 ordered to stand part of the Bill.