Corporate Structures and Financial Crime

Lord Garnier Excerpts

Thursday 4th July 2013 Commons Chamber

[Emily Thornberry]

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman, but in the time I have available, I would like to look to the future and consider the best method that we have for solving the current problems. I am happy to talk to him at some length outside the debate, because I am committed to the issue and will be interested to hear his point of view.

It seems to me that one good way in which the assets in question can be used, instead of lowering the levy, is to put them into a pool that prosecutors can use in future. That would help to pump up what we are doing. That seems to be a way forward, and I am putting it before the House today to get some sensible responses.

[Sir Edward Garnier (Harborough) (Con)]

Will the hon. Lady give way?

[Emily Thornberry]

Unfortunately I am running out of time, but I would like to hear from the hon. and learned Gentleman briefly.

[Sir Edward Garnier]

The hon. Lady urged us to look to the future. Does she agree that one thing that we need to consider with reasonable urgency is an alteration in how corporate criminal liability is described in law? At the moment, we have the Victorian “directing mind” principle, which is not really appropriate for vast international companies. Does she agree that we need to Americanise the system—

[Helen Goodman]

She’s just said that. If you’d been here, you’d have heard it.

[Sir Edward Garnier]

It is always so lovely to hear the hon. Lady, but I am actually addressing the shadow Attorney-General.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo)]

Order. Before the hon. Member for Islington South and Finsbury (Emily Thornberry) responds, I point out again that interventions made by people who have only just arrived in the Chamber, not having been present at any point during the debate, do not show the best courtesy to the House. I hope that all Members will bear that in mind.

[Sir Edward Garnier]

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. If I have caused any offence, I apologise. The reason I addressed the hon. Member for Islington South and Finsbury (Emily Thornberry) was that she and I have a joint interest in the matter. I am sure she did not take offence.

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

Thank you, Sir Edward, but you are continuing the debate. Your point is on the record, but we are now eating into the Minister’s time. I understand that he does not mind, so I call Emily Thornberry to conclude her speech.