HC Deb 25 June 1991 vol 193 cc921-2

Lords amendment: No. 24, in page 12, line 19, leave out ("or disobediences")

Mr. John Patten

I beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said amendment.

Madam Deputy Speaker

With this, it will be convenient to take Lords amendments Nos. 25 to 28, 30 to 40, 113 and 114.

Mr. Patten

The amendments deal with unit fines. Most of them improve and clarify the unit fine arrangements set out in clauses 16 to 18. The unit fines system has been widely welcomed and we are extremely grateful to the official Opposition for the welcome in principle that they have given to unit fines.

The amendments make no significant changes to the principle of the unit fines system as debated in the House. They simply deal with certain practical difficulties in the operation of the scheme, identified both in Committee and in the other place, or bring the unit fine provisions more closely in line with existing legislation concerning the imposition of fines, or are consequential on other drafting changes in part I of the Bill.

Mr. Maclennan

The Minister referred to the welcome given to the unit fines system by the official Opposition. Let me take this opportunity to make it clear that my right hon. and hon. Friends had been advocating day fines long before they became known as unit fines, so we, too, welcome the proposals.

Question put and agreed to.

Subsequent Lords amendments agreed to.

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