New Clause 5
Serious Crime Bill
11:45 am
James Brokenshire (Shadow Minister, Home Affairs; Hornchurch, Conservative)
I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.
We seek certain protections and assurances by virtue of this and other new clauses that we that we would like to add to the Bill. New clause 5 imposes a requirement for serious crime prevention orders to be recorded on a central register and for any order made to vary or discharge such orders also to be recorded on that register. We believe that that would be sensible, given the wide-ranging powers that the Government seek to take in relation to the Bill.
The Committee will be aware of the reservations that have been expressed by various hon. Members about the serious crime prevention orders. We need to ensure that a clear record is kept of how many of these orders are issued, given that only around 30 of them are expected to be allowed each year. We also need to monitor closely who is receiving the orders and what restrictions and terms are being imposed as a consequence.
As I have said, concerns have been expressed about the practicalities of what will happen if the orders are passed into law. Effective measures need to be in place to ensure that the Bill is not applied in a way that might subvert the criminal justice system. The Minister clearly said that the Bill is intended to be about protection, not prosecution. In other words, serious crime prevention orders are not intended to be an alternative prosecution system. In that context there needs to be a process to record and therefore to review how many orders are being given and on what terms. The best way to do that is to ensure that the orders are recorded in one place and so are readily available for that review and examination. On that basis I hope that the Committee will be minded to consider new clause 5 favourably.