Schedule 1
4:15 pm
Evan Harris (Oxford West and Abingdon, Liberal Democrat)
I have only one point to make in reply. Responding to the Minister’s last point, if someone is determined just to be fined, they will breach their order. Obviously, some monitoring will be required to see whether any of that group of people successfully go through the provisions; if none does and they all end up being fined anyway, I accept that there is nothing that he can do under the architecture of the Bill, but we ought to consider whether it is a good use of everyone’s time. I hope that the Government will ensure that there are adequate post-legislative review procedures if the measure passes, so that the obvious problem of making rehabilitation compulsory, with no consent required, is dealt with.
In respect of the amendment, I understand the Minister’s point, but regret that it was not in the explanatory notes. It is clear why he has done what he has done. That said, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.