Clause 62
Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill
4:15 pm
Maria Eagle (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Ministry of Justice; Liverpool, Garston, Labour)
I understand the hon. and learned Gentleman’s point, but it is public money that is being paid out. We do not resile from the fact that payments should be made under section 133—we are not seeking to put a stop to the statutory scheme—but it is perfectly reasonable to balance those requirements against what happens to victims of crime. All our constituents will believe that it is reasonable to do that. I accept fully that Opposition Members may not feel that this is the right way forward, but it is perfectly legitimate that Government Members argue that it is.