HC Deb 26 November 2001 vol 375 cc728-9
Beverley Hughes

I beg to move amendment No. 138, in page 29, line 30, leave out from "to" to end of line 32 and insert "—

  1. (a) any dangerous substance kept or used in the premises; or
  2. (b) the measures taken (whether by the occupier or any other person) to ensure the security of any such substance.'.

The Chairman

With this it will be convenient to discuss Government amendment No. 32.

Beverley Hughes

Amendment No. 138 makes it explicit that, in their inquiries, the police will be able to require information relating to the substances themselves, not merely relating to the security measures taken with regard to those substances. That clarification is necessary because, although the police would not require a detailed knowledge of toxicology to carry out their duties, there might be circumstances in which different measures would be appropriate, so the police would need information about the actual substances.

In relation to amendment No. 32, the reference in clause 60 to "relevant premises" means places where dangerous substances are stored. However, to make the controls watertight, the provisions need to cover places where occupiers have notified their intention of keeping dangerous substances, or where they might keep such substances from time to time. The amendment gives clarification in that respect.

Amendment agreed to.

Amendment made: No. 32, in page 29, line 41, at end add 'or in respect of which a notice under section 59 is in force'.—[Beverley Hughes.]

Clause 60, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 61 to 63 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

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