Electronic Commerce Directive (Trafficking People for Exploitation) Regulations 2013

Baroness Hamwee Excerpts

Wednesday 6th March 2013 Grand Committee

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Smith of Basildon, for her broad welcome for the directive and the regulations arising from it. I think we are all agreed on it. The opt-out of police and justice measures would not affect this order or the UK’s participation in the trafficking directive. It is not part and parcel of that situation. That is important to know.

I know the opt-outs are a matter that concerns the noble Baroness. The work in relation to all the opt-outs is ongoing negotiation and discussion. She knows that I and my noble friends in the Ministry of Justice will do our best to keep the House informed of the implications of anything that comes forward.

The first review of the regulations will be after five years. By that time, we will see what the implications are. We hope that we can anticipate relatively few prosecutions under these regulations because their existence is the key to making sure that e-trafficking is not used to reinforce this terrible trade.

[Baroness Hamwee]

Did I hear the Minister say that the first review will be after five years? Regulation 8(4) states:

“The first report … must be published before the end of the period of five years”.

Perhaps I am saying this only to register my presence, but we should be clear about that.