Clause 6 - Making of order

Part of Proceeds of Crime Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 10:30 am on 15 November 2001.

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Photo of Mr George Foulkes Mr George Foulkes Minister of State, Scottish Office, Minister of State (Scotland Office) 10:30, 15 November 2001

I agree that Labour Back Benchers are more in touch with what is happening on the ground than some of the judiciary are. However, our change of policy is not meant in any way to be a criticism of the Scottish judiciary, which has consistently pursued confiscation orders. We took that into account at the start. We thought it more important to have a consistent policy throughout the United Kingdom that would send a clear message to people who might be tempted to get involved in drug trafficking or other offences. There should not be any criticism of our legal draftspersons, who only carried out Minister's instructions. Not be just one amendment but many amendments—I am happy for them to be called the Davidson amendments—will be drafted by those diligent people who have to change the Bill at our request, responding to different representations.