Clause 1 - Establishment of Serious Organised

Part of Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 9:45 am on 11 January 2005.

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Photo of David Heath David Heath Shadow Spokesperson (Home Affairs) 9:45, 11 January 2005

I welcome the tone of the Minister's contribution. I am grateful that she understood my points and the spirit in which I tried to make them. Her understanding bodes well for the rest of our deliberations.

I hear what the Minister says about the SFO, although I do not entirely understand her argument   about the proposal diluting activities and spreading resources, because the SFO would bring its own resources if it were subsumed into the new organisation; there would be no dilution of resources. If anything, there would be economies of scale, because of the increased capacity for joint working and joint management. Nevertheless, we now have on record the Government's view, which is helpful.

I still do not understand the circumstances set out in clause 2(3) whereby SOCA would seek to act in a serious fraud case without the agreement of the director of the SFO. That is a recipe for disaster.