Clause 19
Serious Crime Bill [Lords]
12:15 pm
Vernon Coaker (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Home Office; Gedling, Labour)
I was not going to speak on clause 19 because many of the arguments have already been rehearsed. However, the point raised by the right hon. and learned Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham about someone saying that they have turned over a new leaf is important. Someone saying that they had turned over a new leaf would not of itself be sufficient for the court, as the right hon. and learned Gentleman will concede. If the person who was the subject of the order could demonstrate his new circumstances to the court and show how he had changed, the court might be able to consider it, but a person saying simply that he had turned over a new leaf would not be enough. The court would have to hear the evidence that the respondent wanted to present in order to determine whether he had turned over a new leaf.