HC Deb 08 May 2000 vol 349 cc578-81 '(1) A person is guilty of an offence if—
  1. (a) with intent to impede access to protected information or the putting of that information into an intelligible form, he fails to comply in accordance with a section 46 notice with a requirement of that notice to disclose a key to protected information;
  2. (b) there are reasonable grounds for believing that possession of the key is necessary to obtain access to the protected information or the putting of that information into an intelligible form; and
  3. (c) he is a person who has, or who after the giving of the notice and before the time by which he was required to disclose the key, had possession of the key.
(2) A person is guilty of an offence if—
  1. (a) he fails to comply in accordance with a section 46 notice with a requirement of that notice to disclose a key to protected information;
  2. (b) there are reasonable grounds for believing that possession of the key is necessary to obtain access to the protected information or the putting of that information into an intelligible form;
  3. (c) he a person—
    1. (i) who has had possession of the key; and
    2. (ii) who has, or who after the giving of the notice and before the time by which he was required to disclose the 579 key had, possession of information which would (either on its own or in combination with other information) enable possession of the key to be obtained; and
  4. (d) with intent to impede access to protected information or the putting of that information into an intelligible form, he did not before the time by which he was required to disclose the key, make a disclosure to the person to whom he was required to disclose the key of all such information in his possession which would (either on its own or in combination with other information) enable possession of the key to be obtained.
(3) In proceedings against any person for an offence under this section it shall be a defence for that person to show—
  1. (a) in the case of an offence under subsection (1), that it was not reasonably practicable for him to make a disclosure of the key before the time by which he was required to do so;
  2. (b) in the case of an offence under subsection (2), that it was not reasonably practicable for him, before the time by which he was required to disclose the key, to make such a disclosure as is mentioned in subsection 2(d); and
  3. (c) where in either case it has since that time become reasonably practicable for him to make a disclosure of the key or of information which would (either on its own or in combination with other information) enable possession of the key to be obtained, he has made such a disclosure to the person to whom he was required to disclose the key.
(4) Except in a case where there is no authorisation for the purposes of section 47, in proceedings for an offence under this section a person shall have a defence under subsection (3) only if he also shows that it was not reasonably practicable for him to comply with the requirement in the manner allowed by that section. (5) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—
  1. (a) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine, or to both;
  2. (b) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both.'.—[Mr. Simon Hughes.]

Brought up, and read the First time.

Motion made, and Question put, That the clause be read a Second time:—

The House divided: Ayes 25, Noes 293.

Division No. 182] [8.16 pm
AYES
Bell, Martin (Tatton) Foster, Don (Bath)
Brand, Dr Peter George, Andrew (St Ives)
Breed, Colin Gorrie, Donald
Bruce, Malcolm (Gordon) Hancock, Mike
Burstow, Paul Heath, David (Somerton & Frome)
Cable, Dr Vincent Hughes, Simon (Southwark N)
Campbell, Rt Hon Menzies (NE Fife) Kirkwood, Archy
Öpik, Lembit
Sanders, Adrian
Chidgey, David Stunell, Andrew
Cotter, Brian Tonge, Dr Jenny
Cunningham, Ms Roseanna (Perth) Webb, Steve
Davey, Edward (Kingston) Tellers for the Ayes:
Ewing, Mrs Margaret Mr. Bob Russell and
Fearn, Ronnie Sir Robert Smith.
NOES
Abbott, Ms Diane Atherton, Ms Candy
Ainsworth, Robert (Cov'try NE) Atkins, Charlotte
Allen, Graham Austin, John
Anderson, Donald (Swansea E) Barnes, Harry
Anderson, Janet (Rossendale) Battle, John
Armstrong, Rt Hon Ms Hilary Bayley, Hugh
Beard, Nigel Etherington, Bill
Beckett, Rt Hon Mrs Margaret Field, Rt Hon Frank
Bell, Stuart (Middlesbrough) Fisher, Mark
Benn, Hilary (Leeds C) Fitzsimons, Lorna
Benn, Rt Hon Tony (Chesterfield) Flynn, Paul
Bennett, Andrew F Foster, Rt Hon Derek
Benton, Joe Foster, Michael Jabez (Hastings)
Bermingham, Gerald Foster, Michael J (Worcester)
Berry, Roger Foulkes, George
Best, Harold Fyfe, Maria
Blears, Ms Hazel Gapes, Mike
Blizzard, Bob Gibson, Dr Ian
Blunkett, Rt Hon David Gilroy, Mrs Linda
Godman, Dr Norman A
Bradley, Keith (Withington) Godsiff, Roger
Bradley, Peter (The Wrekin) Goggins, Paul
Bradshaw, Ben Golding, Mrs Llin
Brown, Rt Hon Nick (Newcastle E) Gordon, Mrs Eileen
Browne, Desmond Griffiths, Jane (Reading E)
Burden, Richard Griffiths, Nigel (Edinburgh S)
Burgon, Colin Griffiths, Win (Bridgend)
Butler, Mrs Christine Grocott, Bruce
Campbell, Mrs Anne (C'bridge) Hall, Mike (Weaver Vale)
Campbell, Ronnie (Blyth V) Hall, Patrick (Bedford)
Cawsey, Ian Hamilton, Fabian (Leeds NE)
Chapman, Ben (Wirral S) Hanson, David
Chaytor, David Heal, Mrs Sylvia
Clapham, Michael Healey, John
Clark, Rt Hon Dr David (S Shields) Henderson, Doug (Newcastle N)
Clark, Paul (Gillingham) Henderson, Ivan (Harwich)
Clarke, Charles (Norwich S) Heppell, John
Clarke, Eric (Midlothian) Hesford, Stephen
Clarke, Rt Hon Tom (Coatbridge) Hill, Keith
Clelland, David Hinchliffe, David
Clwyd, Ann Hoey, Kate
Coaker, Vernon Hood, Jimmy
Coffey, Ms Ann Hoon, Rt Hon Geoffrey
Coleman, Iain Hope, Phil
Colman, Tony Hopkins, Kelvin
Connarty, Michael Howarth, Alan (Newport E)
Howells, Dr Kim
Cook, Frank (Stockton N) Hoyle, Lindsay
Cooper, Yvette Hughes, Ms Beverley (Stretford)
Corbett, Robin Hughes, Kevin (Doncaster N)
Corston, Jean Humble, Mrs Joan
Cousins, Jim Hurst, Alan
Crausby, David Hutton, John
Cryer, Mrs Ann (Keighley) Iddon, Dr Brian
Cryer, John (Hornchurch) Illsley, Eric
Cummings, John Jackson, Ms Glenda (Hampstead)
Cunningham, Jim (Cov'try S) Jackson, Helen (Hillsborough)
Curtis-Thomas, Mrs Claire Jenkins, Brian
Dalyell, Tam Johnson, Alan (Hull W & Hessle)
Darvill, Keith Jones, Mrs Fiona (Newark)
Davey, Valerie (Bristol W) Jones, Helen (Warrington N)
Davidson, Ian Jones, Ms Jenny(Wolverh'ton SW)
Davies, Rt Hon Denzil (Llanelli)
Davies, Geraint (Croydon C) Jones, Dr Lynne (Selly Oak)
Davis, Rt Hon Terry (B'ham Hodge H) Keeble, Ms Sally
Dawson, Hilton Kemp, Fraser
Denham, John Kennedy, Jane (Wavertree)
Dismore, Andrew Khabra, Piara S
Dobbin, Jim Kidney, David
Donohoe, Brian H Kilfoyle, Peter
Doran, Frank King, Andy (Rugby & Kenilworth)
Dowd, Jim Kumar, Dr Ashok
Ladyman, Dr Stephen
Drew, David Lawrence, Mrs Jackie
Dunwoody, Mrs Gwyneth Laxton, Bob
Eagle, Angela (Wallasey) Lepper, David
Eagle, Maria (L 'pool Garston) Levitt, Tom
Edwards, Huw Lewis, Ivan (Bury S)
Efford, Clive Lewis, Terry (Worsley)
Ellman, Mrs Louise Liddell, Rt Hon Mrs Helen
Ennis, Jeff Linton, Martin
Lloyd, Tony (Manchester C) Rooker, Rt Hon Jeff
Lock, David Rooney, Terry
McAvoy, Thomas Ross, Ernie (Dundee W)
McCafferty, Ms Chris Roy, Frank
McDonagh, Siobhain Ruane, Chris
McDonnell, John Ruddock, Joan
McGuire, Mrs Anne Ryan, Ms Joan
McIsaac, Shona Sarwar, Mohammad
McNamara, Kevin Sawford, Phil
Mactaggart, Fiona Sedgemore, Brian
McWalter, Tony Sheldon, Rt Hon Robert
McWilliam, John Singh, Marsha
Mahon, Mrs Alice Skinner, Dennis
Mallaber, Judy Smith, Rt Hon Andrew (Oxford E)
Marsden, Gordon (Blackpool S) Smith, Angela (Basildon)
Marsden, Paul (Shrewsbury) Smith, Jacqui (Redditch)
Marshall, David (Shettleston) Smith, John (Glamorgan)
Marshall, Jim (Leicester S) Smith, Llew (Blaenau Gwent)
Marshall-Andrews, Robert Snape, Peter
Martlew, Eric Soley, Clive
Maxton, John Squire, Ms Rachel
Meacher, Rt Hon Michael Starkey, Dr Phyllis
Meale, Alan Steinberg, Gerry
Michael, Rt Hon Alun Stevenson, George
Michie, Bill (Shef'ld Heeley) Stewart, David (Inverness E)
Milburn, Rt Hon Alan Stewart, Ian (Eccles)
Miller, Andrew Stinchcombe, Paul
Mitchell, Austin Stoate, Dr Howard
Moffatt, Laura Strang, Rt Hon Dr Gavin
Moonie, Dr Lewis Straw, Rt Hon Jack
Moran, Ms Margaret Stuart, Ms Gisela
Morgan, Ms Julie (Cardiff N) Taylor, Rt Hon Mrs Ann (Dewsbury)
Morley, Elliot
Morris, Rt Hon Ms Estelle (B'ham Yardley) Taylor, Ms Dari (Stockton S)
Taylor, Rt Hon John D (Strangford)
Mountford, Kali Temple-Morris, Peter
Mowlam, Rt Hon Marjorie Thomas, Gareth (Clwyd W)
Mudie, George Thomas, Gareth R (Harrow W)
Mullin, Chris Timms, Stephen
Murphy, Denis (Wansbeck) Tipping, Paddy
Naysmith, Dr Doug Todd, Mark
Norris, Dan Touhig, Don
O'Brien, Bill (Normanton) Trickett, Jon
O'Brien, Mike (N Warks) Truswell, Paul
Olner Bill Turner, Dennis (Wolverh'ton SE)
O'Neill, Martin Turner, Dr Desmond (Kemptown)
Organ, Mrs Diana Turner, Dr George (NW Norfolk)
Osborne, Ms Sandra Turner, Neil (Wigan)
Palmer, Dr Nick Twigg, Derek (Halton)
Pearson, Ian Twigg, Stephen (Enfield)
Tynan, Bill
Perham, Ms Linda Vis, Dr Rudi
Pickthall, Colin Ward, Ms Claire
Pike, Peter L Wareing, Robert N
Plaskitt James Watts, David
Pollard, Kerry Whitehead, Dr Alan
Pond, Chris Wicks, Malcolm
Pope, Greg Williams, Rt Hon Alan (Swansea W)
Prentice, Ms Bridget (Lewisham E)
Prentice, Gordon (Pendle) Williams, Alan W (E Carmarthen)
Prescott, Rt Hon John Williams, Mrs Betty (Conwy)
Primarolo, Dawn Winnick, David
Prosser, Gwyn Wood, Mike
Purchase, Ken Woolas, Phil
Quin, Rt Hon Ms Joyce Worthington, Tony
Quinn, Lawrie Wray, James
Radice, Rt Hon Giles Wright, Anthony D (Gt Yarmouth)
Rammell, Bill
Raynsford, Nick Tellers for the Noes:
Reid, Rt Hon Dr John (Hamilton N) Mr. Tony McNulty and
Roche, Mrs Barbara Mr. David Jamieson.

Question accordingly negatived.

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