Schedule 12
Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill [Lords]
4:00 pm
Simon Hughes (Shadow Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs & Shadow Attorney General, Constitutional Affairs; North Southwark and Bermondsey, Liberal Democrat)
With respect, Mr. Bercow, it was not a debate that I initiated. I was just intervening before we adjourned. I apologise if I put the hon. Member for North-West Norfolk in the firing line, but I am grateful to him for trying to sweep up, as it were.
My simple point was to ask how we could create a system wherein others in the household can have the authority either to take responsibility for a notice, or to accept a bailiff saying that he will take possession of the goods but that he will leave them there, in a way that is compatible with the fact that those people may be independent of the person in relation to whom the obligation first arises. “It is not my responsibility”, is a common response to bailiffs on the doorstep and happens frequently. I described such circumstances before we adjourned. I wonder what the Minister’s thoughts are and what advice officials have come up with on the best way to secure both the interests of those who are seeking to enforce their debts and ensure that money is paid and the interests of the household. Those in the household may be unrelated to each other and someone might wittingly or unwittingly take responsibility without necessarily having the authority of the person whose goods they are to do more than be the receiver of the message. Historically, it has been a fairly intractable question. I should be grateful to hear the hon. and learned Lady’s views on how the matter can best be dealt with in everyone’s interests.