Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Austin of Dudley Excerpts

Tuesday 31st October 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Lidington]

We will be happy to look into that and to take account of any representations that my hon. Friend wishes to make.

[Ian Austin (Dudley North) (Lab)]

T2. Why are the Government planning to give security companies and bailiffs the power of arrest, because that will be the result of privatising the collection of court fees? A petition opposing those plans has been signed by 16,000 people because they do not believe that either 150 jobs, or the safety and finances of vulnerable people, should be put at risk.

[Mr Lidington]

These are not in fact new powers; they have been in use across the country for many years. They apply to arrests relating to debt and community penalty breaches, and they must follow the issue of a warrant of arrest from the criminal courts. Any use of these powers is overseen by Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service.