Criminal Justice Bill – in a Public Bill Committee am 6:30 pm ar 21 Ionawr 2003.
David Heath
Shadow Spokesperson (Trade and Industry), Shadow Spokesperson (Home Affairs)
I shall be brief, because the sitting is lurching towards a conclusion.
Mark Francois
Opposition Whip (Commons)
It is now.
David Heath
Shadow Spokesperson (Trade and Industry), Shadow Spokesperson (Home Affairs)
Thank you.
When I asked about the definitions of the terms ''officer'' and ''police force'' in this part of the Bill, the Minister was kind enough to say that he would look again at the position of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise, which is a relevant consideration. I also referred to the security services, and I hope that he will elucidate their position. However, there are many other investigative bodies in the context of government, some of which have powers of arrest, while others do not. It is important that we are clear about which bodies and officers of the state have powers under the Bill. For instance, what is the position as regards an investigation on Crown land that is in the possession of the Ministry of Defence? I assume that Ministry of Defence police would be officers under the definition in the Clause, but I would like that clarified. Military police might also be involved, but I am not sure that they would be covered by the clause.
The definitions of the terms ''officer'' and ''police force'' raise complexities that have not been addressed. At some stage, the Minister might like to elucidate those terms by providing a schedule that sets out which investigative forces have powers under this part of the Bill and which are forbidden from investigating an individual's activities. He may intend only someone with the office of constable to have such powers, but it would be helpful to know.
Hilary Benn
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office) (Minister for Prisons and Probation)
I gladly undertake to look into the hon. Gentleman's points, and I shall respond to him and to other Committee members in writing.
Question put and agreed to.
Clause 80 ordered to stand part of the Bill.
Further consideration adjourned.—[Mr. Heppell.]
Adjourned accordingly at seventeen minutes to Seven 'clock till Thursday 23 January at ten minutes past Nine o'clock.
A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.
Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.
During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.
When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.
A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.
Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.
During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.
When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
