Clause 16
Samples submitted for further analysis
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Mrs. Gillan: Subsection (2) provides that
''If a requirement ceases to have effect by virtue of subsection (1), a police officer must so inform the person concerned.''
No time limit is attached to that provision. Will the Minister confirm that such information should be passed on on a fairly immediate basis? Police officers should not have an open-ended time scale in which to
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inform someone that they have effectively been let off, because that could be used in all sorts of ways about which I do not want to speculate in public, and which I hope will never arise.
Caroline Flint: I agree that people should be informed of test results as soon as is practically possible, so that any undue stress can be removed.
Question put and agreed to.
Clause 16 ordered to stand part of the Bill.
Clause 17 ordered to stand part of the Bill.
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Clause 18
Orders under this Part and guidance
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Mrs. Gillan: I want to probe the Minister as to exactly what is envisaged with this clause. Subsection (2) is widely drafted: any order made under paragraph (a) can be varied for different police areas, whereas under paragraph (b), provisions can amend the age—
It being twenty-five minutes past Eleven o'clock, The Chairman adjourned the Committee without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.
Adjourned till this day at half-past Two o'clock.
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