Clause 6
Fraud Bill [Lords]
12:45 pm
Dominic Grieve (Shadow Attorney General & Shadow Spokesman On Community Cohesion, Law Officers (Assist the Home Affairs Team); Beaconsfield, Conservative)
I intended that my amendment should refer to the intent of the person when he had the article in his possession. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman’s amendment is better than mine. We shall discuss that with the Solicitor-General and if the matter is pressed to the vote and I prefer the hon. Gentleman’s amendment, I shall support his and ask leave to withdraw mine.
We are both looking at the same issue. Perhaps the Solicitor-General is in a position to provide us with reassurance. However, I am anxious, because as I have said it seems possible to have in one’s possession an article that could be used for a fraud but have it for use in a conjuring trick or to manufacture it for the purpose of using it in a conjuring trick. I am sure that one could find numerous examples. It is important that we ensure that we are not suddenly outlawing the possession of all sorts of devices or gadgets that may have a lawful application as well as a potentially unlawful one.