To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many business start-ups have taken place in (a) Tamworth constituency and (b) the West Midlands in the last 12 months; and what steps he is taking to increase the number in each case.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many business start-ups have taken place in (a) Tamworth constituency and (b) the West Midlands in the last 12 months; and what steps he is taking to increase the number in each case.

As I have already observed on an earlier occasion, the noble Lord’s question gives me the opportunity to remind him that this Bill may well prove to be the Government’s poll tax. He ought to keep off that one. The Prime Minister may not have probed the detail—he is too busy...

As I have already observed on an earlier occasion, the noble Lord’s question gives me the opportunity to remind him that this Bill may well prove to be the Government’s poll tax. He ought to keep off that one. The Prime Minister may not have probed the detail—he is too busy...

moved Amendment No. 259A:"Before Clause 37, insert the following new clause—" ““ESTIMATE OF COSTS (1)   Section 37 shall not come into effect until— (a)   the Secretary of State has submitted to Parliament a detailed estimate of the costs of implementing the powers contained in this Act (to be known as ““the Cost Estimate””); and (b)   each...

moved Amendment No. 259A:"Before Clause 37, insert the following new clause—" ““ESTIMATE OF COSTS (1)   Section 37 shall not come into effect until— (a)   the Secretary of State has submitted to Parliament a detailed estimate of the costs of implementing the powers contained in this Act (to be known as ““the Cost Estimate””); and (b)   each...

I share the noble Baroness’s concern about costs. I shall try to be brief in my few remarks. If I may say so, with the greatest possible respect to noble and learned Law Lords, I note that in their most recent report, every Law Lord said that he agreed with the first Law Lord...

I share the noble Baroness’s concern about costs. I shall try to be brief in my few remarks. If I may say so, with the greatest possible respect to noble and learned Law Lords, I note that in their most recent report, every Law Lord said that he agreed with the first Law Lord...

Of course I hear what the noble Lord says. I have been as crystal clear as I can be in relation to these issues and I have also said that the way of avoiding such penalties is simply to comply. I have made it clear that the Secretary of State can waive all or any...

Of course I hear what the noble Lord says. I have been as crystal clear as I can be in relation to these issues and I have also said that the way of avoiding such penalties is simply to comply. I have made it clear that the Secretary of State can waive all or any...

I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendments Nos. 256 to 259 had been withdrawn from the Marshalled List.] Clause 33 agreed to. Clauses 34 to 36 agreed to.

I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendments Nos. 256 to 259 had been withdrawn from the Marshalled List.] Clause 33 agreed to. Clauses 34 to 36 agreed to.

I thank all noble Lords who have spoken in this important debate on the part of the Bill relating to the commissioner’s work, which will affect the confidence that people may have in the operation of the whole scheme. It would be wrong of me to go into detail, and we...

I thank all noble Lords who have spoken in this important debate on the part of the Bill relating to the commissioner’s work, which will affect the confidence that people may have in the operation of the whole scheme. It would be wrong of me to go into detail, and we...

Clause 24(3)(c) does not exclude Clause 20 from the commissioner’s remit.

Clause 24(3)(c) does not exclude Clause 20 from the commissioner’s remit.

I accept that and I am extremely grateful for it. The point I raised followed on from what the noble Lord, Lord Thomas, said on Clause 24(3)(c) and whether the word ““relates”” in that clause could be taken to refer to Clause 20. I imagine that it could not but I would be grateful for confirmation.

I accept that and I am extremely grateful for it. The point I raised followed on from what the noble Lord, Lord Thomas, said on Clause 24(3)(c) and whether the word ““relates”” in that clause could be taken to refer to Clause 20. I imagine that it could not but I would be grateful for confirmation.

I do not think that it is intended to be. I said that I would look at the first half of the noble Lord’s amendment, which says,"““the uses to which information recorded in the Register is being put””." I very much understood the way in which the noble Lord argued it. As it is...

I do not think that it is intended to be. I said that I would look at the first half of the noble Lord’s amendment, which says,"““the uses to which information recorded in the Register is being put””." I very much understood the way in which the noble Lord argued it. As it is...

I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Phillips, for raising this issue—although he is right in saying that much of it was dealt with in the earlier debate, in the very full response given by my noble friend Lady Scotland. I have a great deal of sympathy with the noble Lord, Lord Phillips,...

I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Phillips, for raising this issue—although he is right in saying that much of it was dealt with in the earlier debate, in the very full response given by my noble friend Lady Scotland. I have a great deal of sympathy with the noble Lord, Lord Phillips,...

I strongly support my noble friend’s amendment. I do not make the concession that he did, however, that the commissioner should not be the front-line recipient of complaints. If the commissioner’s office is not broad enough to take on that role, who will become the frontline recipient of complaints? Every person over...

I strongly support my noble friend’s amendment. I do not make the concession that he did, however, that the commissioner should not be the front-line recipient of complaints. If the commissioner’s office is not broad enough to take on that role, who will become the frontline recipient of complaints? Every person over...

moved Amendment No. 228:"Page 21, line 43, at end insert—" ““(   )   The Commissioner shall establish and operate a system to deal with individual complaints concerning the functioning of the Register and the use of information on it under the provisions of this Act in accordance with an order made by the Secretary...

moved Amendment No. 228:"Page 21, line 43, at end insert—" ““(   )   The Commissioner shall establish and operate a system to deal with individual complaints concerning the functioning of the Register and the use of information on it under the provisions of this Act in accordance with an order made by the Secretary...

While I hear what the noble Lord says, we do not agree. Looking at the kind of complaints and the process here, we believe it is important to ensure that the procedure is accessible to people so that they can raise their concerns and know that they will be dealt with...

While I hear what the noble Lord says, we do not agree. Looking at the kind of complaints and the process here, we believe it is important to ensure that the procedure is accessible to people so that they can raise their concerns and know that they will be dealt with...

I am very grateful for what the Minister has said. However, the noble Lord, Lord Thomas of Gresford, has raised a further doubt in my mind, as is his habit. Can the noble Baroness confirm that the word ““relates”” in Clause 24(3)(c) does not bring in Clause 20? It could be read that way...

I am very grateful for what the Minister has said. However, the noble Lord, Lord Thomas of Gresford, has raised a further doubt in my mind, as is his habit. Can the noble Baroness confirm that the word ““relates”” in Clause 24(3)(c) does not bring in Clause 20? It could be read that way...

It was exactly that point, when the noble Baroness spoke earlier, that prompted me to speak again. The kind of complaints that arise from the issue of passports is totally different from the kind that will result from the use or misuse of the register or the kind that have...

It was exactly that point, when the noble Baroness spoke earlier, that prompted me to speak again. The kind of complaints that arise from the issue of passports is totally different from the kind that will result from the use or misuse of the register or the kind that have...

My name is added to the amendment, which I strongly support. I will not repeat the arguments so clearly adduced by the noble Lord, Lord Phillips of Sudbury, but I have another question with regard to the code of practice statement that it would ““normally”” be appropriate to send out a warning letter. If...

My name is added to the amendment, which I strongly support. I will not repeat the arguments so clearly adduced by the noble Lord, Lord Phillips of Sudbury, but I have another question with regard to the code of practice statement that it would ““normally”” be appropriate to send out a warning letter. If...

I do not know what to say to that—bash on, I think. Amendment No. 255A would require the Secretary of State, before imposing a penalty, to send the defaulter written warning of his intention together with brief details of the alleged default, so that the defaulter can say whether the Secretary of State...

I do not know what to say to that—bash on, I think. Amendment No. 255A would require the Secretary of State, before imposing a penalty, to send the defaulter written warning of his intention together with brief details of the alleged default, so that the defaulter can say whether the Secretary of State...

I hope that I can help the noble Lord. I should start by saying that the whole point of the civil penalties is not to provide punishment but a means of enforcement to get people to provide their biometric data. I must make it clear that if, at any stage in the process, the...

I hope that I can help the noble Lord. I should start by saying that the whole point of the civil penalties is not to provide punishment but a means of enforcement to get people to provide their biometric data. I must make it clear that if, at any stage in the process, the...