§ Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
§ Mr. GrieveI mentioned to the Minister earlier that I would return to a topic that has excited me during the passage of the Bill—the creation of absolute offences. Under clause 107(4), an absolute offence is committed if a person makes a payment in contravention of subsection (1), even if he did so by mistake or with an excuse that he believed to be reasonable. Is that what the Minister intends?
With regard to the contravention of subsection (3), the reasonable excuse defence exists. Perhaps the Minister will look into that, in the spirit in which he has undertaken to look at other points in the Bill.
§ Mr. TippingI have already given the hon. Gentleman and the Committee an undertaking that all the defence arguments will be brought in line during the period when we reflect on the Bill. I have heard what he said, and I will of course consider it.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Clause 107 ordered to stand part of the Bill.