Clause 11 - Interpretation of Chapter 1
Violent Crime Reduction Bill
6:15 pm
Lynne Featherstone (Shadow Minister, Home Affairs; Hornsey and Wood Green, Liberal Democrat)
We are back to the Secretary of State and his wide-ranging powers—in this case, to regard a person as a relevant authority—and I am worried that the provision could be interpreted too widely. There should be a safeguard; otherwise anyone, even a malicious individual, could be considered to be a relevant authority.
Omitting the words in my amendment would not limit in any way the number of times the Secretary of State could make a statutory instrument and adjust the exceptions, exemptions, provisions and so on. I appreciate that parliamentary time is precious, but it would not escape the notice of the House if the Secretary of State dodged in and out daily, and it might be construed that the additions to the provisions were excessive.