Speeches by Wood.

“We have tabled amendment 20 to remove the cap on the maximum deduction in cases of fraud. I should say from the outset that we would not expect deduction orders of above 40% to be used in most circumstances. For most circumstances, 40% is an appropriate maximum level for deduction orders to be set. However, we question…”

“I struggle with my own name at this point in the afternoon, Sir Desmond. I beg to move amendment 20, in clause 41, page 25, line 16, leave out “40% of”.”

“The clause grants the Minister the power to issue a deduction from earnings order in cases where an individual is employed and has an amount that is recoverable under the Bill. The effect of such an order would be to require the person’s employer to deduct payments directly from their salary and to ensure that those de…”

“My hon. Friend is of course absolutely right. We are told that many of these questions will be addressed at a later date, whether through regulation or through a non-statutory code of practice, but we are being asked to consider this Bill now, and scrutinise these clauses when that information is not available. Will th…”

“I agree with what the Minister says about future-proofing. The affirmative procedure does apply to the measures in subsection (3), which are effectively about future-proofing. Our concern is those under subsection (2), which are about how the powers are to be exercised from day one. Those regulations are not subject to…”

“The clause grants the Minister extensive powers to introduce further regulations governing the operation of direct deduction orders. Specifically, the Minister will be able to regulate the manner in which notices and orders are issued by the Minister; the process by which banks and financial institutions provide inform…”

“Clause 3 would give the PSFA the power to issue information notices to a third party, compelling them to provide information within a deadline. The amendments set out the circumstances in which that would be done and set what we think is a perfectly reasonable test of reasonableness, as well as exploring the time provi…”

“I beg to move amendment 12, in clause 4, page 3, line 33, at end insert— “or of the duration of the period mentioned in section 3(4)(a)”.”

“Amendments 12 and 13 are in a similar vein to amendment 14 —they allow the individual or organisation issued with an information notice to apply to the independent body or board for an extension to the 10 working days within which they are currently required to provide information requested in the notice, if they are r…”

“I beg to move amendment 11, in clause 3, page 2, line 36, at end insert— “(c) the information is likely to relate to the suspected fraud, and (d) the cost involved in recovering the required information is likely to be reasonable and proportionate.””

“I think we will come back to this issue at a later stage. I want to see some action on amendment 11 going forward, but, for now, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”

“I thank the Minister for those responses, but I think that the first-tier tribunal is perfectly capable of dismissing applications that are without merit, without significantly extending the time. Given the importance of an independent appeal mechanism, I wish to push the amendment to a vote. Question put, That the ame…”

“His Majesty’s Opposition agree with the Bill’s principles and support the Government in what they are seeking to do, but we will be using our best efforts to try to help them do it better where we can. As the Minister said, clause 1 sets out the functions. Those functions seem perfectly sensible and reasonable, as does…”

“Clause 10 allows the Minister for the Cabinet Office to act on behalf of another public authority to recover a recoverable amount, including bringing court or tribunal proceedings, and recovered money will be returned to the other public authority unless it is agreed that the Minister can retain some or all of it. We h…”

“Clauses 7 to 9 give authorised investigators the powers to enter and search premises and execute search warrants, and powers for the seizure, retention and disposal of property. Those are obviously extensive powers with potentially significant consequences. While strengthening powers to tackle fraud is welcome, we have…”

“As the Minister says, the clause will add the Cabinet Office to the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. The Act governs the powers available to the state to obtain communications and communication data, provides statutory safeguards and clarifies what powers different public authorities can use and for what purpose. This le…”

“Clause 5 will give the Minister enormous powers to request and share information for the purpose of facilitating the Minister’s exercise of the core functions under the Bill. Given that the Minister’s core functions are to decide whether to investigate and take enforcement action, we are concerned that almost any infor…”

“Clause 4 gives the Minister a considerable amount of power to compel individuals, as well as organisations, to provide an unspecified range of information within what could be very tight timescales, on pain of a fine of £300 a day if they fail to comply. The only route to appeal these powers is going back to the person…”

“I thank the Minister for her response, which offered some moderate reassurance. We would be comfortable if either it was included in the Bill or we at least had sight of the code of practice, which will actually define that decision-making process. A fundamental flaw of this Bill Committee is that we are being asked to…”

“Sorry, it has been a while since I have been on a Bill Committee. The amendments would allow the individual or organisation to apply for an extension to the 10 working days within which they are currently required to provide information requested in an information notice, if they are reasonably unable to comply. This i…”