Clause 86 - Interpretation
Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill
3:30 pm
Mr David Heath (Shadow Minister (Home Affairs), Home Affairs; Somerton and Frome, Liberal Democrat)
I think that the hon. and learned Lady is right. Had I not been trying to amend what the Government have proposed, I should simply have used the formula in my amendment, of someone with
''such a relationship to that person that their safety can reasonably be regarded to be at risk''.
That is the discretion that needs to be applied by the investigating and protecting authorities. They will not use their budgets for that purpose lightly and it seems odd to exclude anyone who might need that protection from consideration.
The Minister has said that she will consider the matter again, and I do not want to prolong the debate. We have had a good exposition of some of the issues and I am grateful to the Minister for at least listening to what I have to say. On that basis, at this stage I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Amendment made: No. 33, in clause 86, page 50, line 20, at end insert—
'(7A) A reference to a person who is or has been a member of staff of an organisation includes a reference to a person who is or has been seconded to the organisation to serve as a member of its staff.'.—[Caroline Flint.]
Clause 86, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.
Clause 87 ordered to stand part of the Bill.