Tony McNulty (Minister of State (Immigration, Citizenship and Nationality), Home Office; Harrow East, Labour)

I beg to move amendment No. 63, in clause 29, page 15, line 6, at end insert

‘in England and Wales or 6 months in Scotland or Northern Ireland’.

Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield, Conservative)

With this it will be convenient to discuss Government amendment No. 64.

Tony McNulty (Minister of State (Immigration, Citizenship and Nationality), Home Office; Harrow East, Labour)

The amendments reflect, in a tidier fashion, the differences in penalties and sentences from those that were originally intended. It is another example of a listening Government who, having recognised the mistake in legalese, correct it. I commend the amendments and the clause to the Committee.

Humfrey Malins (Shadow Minister, (Assisted By Shadow Law Officers); Woking, Conservative)

Would it be appropriate to ask the Minister if he considers that because these matters could be complicated and serious, there should have been a provision for them to be triable on indictment in the Crown court as well as in the magistrates court because of the increased penalties? It is just a small point.

Tony McNulty (Minister of State (Immigration, Citizenship and Nationality), Home Office; Harrow East, Labour)

I shall not go into that now but I am more than happy to look at it and get back to the hon. Gentleman.