Clause 3 - Drug offence searches: England and Wales
Drugs Bill
4:30 pm
Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Shadow Minister, Home Affairs; Chesham and Amersham, Conservative)
To take up the cudgels on that point, my hon. Friend is right. The clause as drafted states ''may draw such inferences'' from the refusal as appear proper, not ''such adverse inferences''. We may accept an amendment from the Minister to insert the word ''adverse'', which would be much clearer; it was part of the thinking behind this small amendment. I will be happy to withdraw it if the Minister will undertake to have a quick look at the clause and ensure that the drafting is absolutely tight.
I am delighted that the Minister has accepted some of our amendments, but it proves my point that the Bill is hastily drawn legislation that has not had its t's crossed and its i's dotted. I do not want to appear ungrateful, but there are more than a few doubts and we are only on clause 3. I am not trying to score political points, I just hope that the Minister will double check that there are no small omissions from the clause and that it will achieve her objectives.
I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Further consideration adjourned.—[Mr. Hepple.]
Adjourned accordingly at fourteen minutes to Five o'clock till Tuesday 1 February at ten minutes past Nine o'clock.