Part of Proceeds of Crime Bill – in a Public Bill Committee am 6:15 pm ar 8 Ionawr 2002.
The Minister has put forward a cogent and sensible argument. Although I have an anxiety about the exercise of the power other than by judicial authority, I am reassured by the reporting procedure that will allow Parliament to monitor the use of that power. Slightly reluctantly, I am prepared to concede that circumstances might arise in which it may be difficult to get judicial authorisation, and that that would justify the power being authorised by a senior officer, so I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Amendments made: No. 443, in page 168, line 13, after 'Commissioners' insert 'of Customs and Excise'.
No. 323, in page 168, line 22, after first 'the', insert 'customs'.—[Mr. Bob Ainsworth.]
Clause 289, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.