HC Deb 20 February 1991 vol 186 cc405-6

Amendment proposed: No. 96, in page 16, line 12 at end insert— `(a) provision that, before making an application, the court shall have first obtained the agreement of the offender to the application, unless default has been made in payment;'.—[Mr. Sheerman.]

Mr. Deputy Speaker(Mr. Harold Walker)

With this, it will be convenient to consider Government amendment No. 12.

12.45 am
Mr. John Patten

I am unable to accept amendment No. 96. Labour Members' attempts to test the perfect management of the Bill will not succeed.

The amendment would limit deductions from benefit to pay fines to cases where the defendent had consented or where default in payment had occurred. It would not be sensible to include such restrictions in the Bill. We intend the deduction arrangements to apply only after default, and after a means inquiry has been held. We shall keep the arrangements under careful review to see whether the point at which deductions are made should be brought forward.

I commend amendment No. 12, which honours the undertaking that I gave the hon. Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael) to table an amendment to clause 21 on Report.

Mr. Sheerman

We are grateful for the few concessions that we get from the Minister. I made a note to thank the Government profusely for amendment No. 12. Following the eloquent speech in Committee by my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael), the Minister promised to reconsider clause 21. The amendment is a good concession, and in that spirit I beg to ask leave to withdraw amendment No. 96.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Amendment made: No. 12, in page 16, line 14 at end insert— `(aa) provision allowing or requiring adjudication as regards an application, and provision as to appeals and reviews;'.—[Mr. John Patten.]

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