§ 225A Baroness Hamwee rose to move, as an amendment to the Motion that the House do agree with the Commons in their amendment, leave out "agree" and insert "disagree".
§ The noble Baroness said: My Lords, I beg to move Amendment No. 225A. It seems to us an offence too far. As the Minister explained, it would make an offence under Clause 59(4) the disclosure of a notice in the circumstances set out in subsection (3).
§ When the Bill left this House an ethical standards officer who disclosed information would commit an offence under Clause 59(4), facing up to two years' imprisonment. An amendment in the Commons 79 broadened this offence to any other person. My amendment rejects the broadening of the offence. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That Amendment No. 225A, as an amendment to the Motion that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 225, be agreed to.—(Baroness Hamwee.)
§ Lord WhittyMy Lords, the noble Baroness shares with the House the reason for her amendment.
We accept that the change in the Commons would apply this sanction not only to ESOs but also to any other person. Therefore I think that the noble Baroness is right in saying that the provision is too widely drawn. If we accept the noble Baroness's amendment, we shall revert to the previous position. I therefore accept the noble Baroness's amendment.
On Question, Motion agreed to, and Commons Amendment No. 225 disagreed to accordingly.