Clause 56 - Disclosure notices

Part of Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 9:30 am on 13 January 2005.

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Photo of David Heath David Heath Shadow Spokesperson (Home Affairs) 9:30, 13 January 2005

It is too early in the day, although the extraordinary comments of the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead would not have been out of place in the ranks of the Stasi—''We have ways of making you talk and it doesn't matter what offence you have committed.'' The matters raised are serious, but so are justice and the legal system. The idea that we can extend willy-nilly enormously intrusive powers of coercion will not do, even in new Labour. I am grateful for the Minister's explanation of the limitations of what she proposes, because it could serve as a helpful study aid for the hon. Gentleman, who seems to misunderstand these matters.

I appreciate what the Minister said about introducing amendments to the clause and I look forward to hearing what she has to say about them at a later stage. It would be otiose to amend at this stage what is to be amended, so I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn