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Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (References to Financial Investigators) (Amendment) Order 2009

Hindsight is powerful, but it is not powerful enough to go back seven years. How we deal with crime, and the crime that we have to deal with, is fast moving and continues to be a fast-moving series of events. The answer would have been no at the time. Clearly, today there is an issue. It is before your Lordships’ House. It has by the noble Earl’s determination been something that your Lordships have debated. I hope that we have allayed the fears that it will not be misused as people fear it could be—for people who were not paying the congestion charge and the like. It is important that we have these powers on the statute book, because they are requested by the very people who are currently dealing with these forms of crime. I hope that I have allayed your Lordships’ fears sufficiently for the noble Earl to consider withdrawing his Motion.