Diary 23
November 2009
Last week in Parliament, we had the
pomp and ceremony of the Queen’s Speech. The Queen’s speech spells out
the Government programme for this session – our Parliamentary work
plan!
When the banks faced collapse last
year and the global recession hit, it was right for government to
step in and prevent a meltdown of the banks. Imagine what would have happened
if the banks had collapsed - going to withdraw money from your bank
and finding none there. Salaries not being paid.
Debit cards no longer
working at the supermarket.
But to do more
to protect people in the future the Labour Government has begun the
biggest shake-up of the banking sector for many years. The
Financial Services Bill, which I will support and vote for in
Parliament, will take tough action to make sure banks themselves,
not the taxpayer, are made to pay for bank failings.
I know that
local people have suffered from the actions of unscrupulous wheel
clampers. The Crime
and Security Bill will put this right by bringing in a compulsory
licensing scheme for all wheel clamping businesses. There will be limits on how much
they can fine people, rules about when a car can be towed away and
bring in a fair process so that you can complain if you think you
have been unfairly treated.
It will also
make sure the right people are on our DNA database. It will keep a permanent DNA
record of convicted offenders and hold the DNA of adults who are
arrested, but not charged, for six years. It will allow the police
to take DNA samples and fingerprints at any time after conviction
for a serious crime. And to take a DNA sample from serious violent
and sexual offenders returning to the UK following a conviction
overseas.
Our world
leading use of DNA has helped police to catch murderers and rapists
who would otherwise still be at large. I can’t understand people who
oppose this vital tool to keep us safe.
These are just
two of the Bills featured in the Queen’s speech. I’ll keep people updated on how
we get on with delivering the full programme over the coming months
in Parliament.
To comment on this article, please email Jacqui at smithjj@parliament.uk
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