Schedule 7
Serious Crime Bill [Lords]
2:00 pm
Jeremy Browne (Shadow Minister, Home Affairs; Taunton, Liberal Democrat)
I am grateful to you, Mr. Benton, for giving me an opportunity to speak briefly about these amendments Nos. 14, 15 and 13, which stand in my name. During our proceedings this morning, we had a detailed conversation about clause 63; there is a lot of overlap and cross-over into the schedule, so I do not intend to repeat the points that I and others raised previously. However, I shall explain, for the benefit of members of the Committee the purpose of the amendments and the thinking behind them.
Amendments Nos. 14 and 15 would provide for an annual review of the code for data matching. My concern is that the time scales are too flexible and are insufficiently specific. The amendments, which amend the same sentence but reorder the wording, are designed to provide for an annual review. Amendment No. 13 relates to the point that I was discussing, along with others, with the right hon. and learned Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham, this morning. The amendment would require the code on data matching to be published before any information could be disclosed. I take the point that the right hon. and learned Gentleman made that, although that requirement would be more onerous than what is currently in the Bill, it would be better still to accept amendment No. 241 because that would provide for approval by Parliament.
My intention, subject to other contributions during the discussion on the schedule, is to press amendments Nos. 14 and 15 to a vote, because they address a specific different point about time scales, but not to press amendment No. 13 to a vote. I would be minded to support amendment No. 241 if that were pressed to a vote by other hon. Members.