Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch, Conservative)

An issue arises out of our earlier discussion of representations by the Metropolitan Police Service. It said that civil enforcement penalties were significantly higher than fixed penalties. That is somewhat anomalous, and I wonder whether the Minister could comment.

Mr David Jamieson (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Transport; Plymouth, Devonport, Labour)

I noticed that anomaly. It seems that some penalties are higher under the civil enforcement regime. However, it is difficult to address the issue in the Bill, and we may have to revisit it in other legislation.

Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch, Conservative)

We could surely address it by amending the Bill to say that civil enforcement penalties cannot be greater than fixed penalties. The Minister might not like that, but it would be one way of ensuring a consistent approach. Perhaps the Minister could think about that.

Mr David Jamieson (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Transport; Plymouth, Devonport, Labour)

No amendment has been tabled to that effect, but if the hon. Gentleman wants to table one later in consideration of the Bill, I dare say that we could debate it and test what could be done.

Question put and agreed to.

Schedule 8 agreed to.