Clause 35 - General functions of Commissioner

Part of Modern Slavery Bill – in a Public Bill Committee am 6:00 pm ar 9 Medi 2014.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Michael Connarty Michael Connarty Llafur, Linlithgow and East Falkirk 6:00, 9 Medi 2014

I will give way when I have made my point.

If someone has to fight for their independence and to get the word “independent” put into their title, it shows that their original title did not cover the necessary remit and give the necessary name and direction to the person in post. I will come to some other evidence—again, not the main evidence, because that was covered in clause 34—from people who said how important it was that they were independent and called themselves that.

I wonder why we do not move into the 21st century. The Minister said earlier that she would be thinking about it. I do not need to get into another debate about that, but I hope she thinks seriously about it and considers how these gentlemen made their tasks work by being independent and then made sure that the title was there, too, to underline their position.