Clause 28

Part of Serious Crime Bill [Lords] – in a Public Bill Committee at 12:45 pm on 3 July 2007.

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Photo of Vernon Coaker Vernon Coaker Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office) (Crime Reduction) 12:45, 3 July 2007

The hon. Gentleman should come back to me if I have misunderstood his question. If he is asking me how we define “in the public interest” in respect of determining whether a company should be wound up, that would be a matter for the court, which would determine what was reasonable and proportionate. The public interest test is the prevention of crime and the reduction of harm. The conditions placed on the company are about reducing harm and preventing crime; if they are broken, the applicant authorities will apply for a winding-up order. That is the public interest test, which we want to be observed.