Member

Our Amendments 62A and 62B both relate to a discussion we had in Committee on Monday relating to suspended orders. Noble Lords across the Committee made their thoughts on this clear: a suspended order should not be held over the head of the liable person indefinitely. I shall touch on this point only briefly, as I am sure that the Minister will be well aware of the widespread concerns that noble Lords had about this power, based on previous exchanges. The Cabinet Office must show professionalism and expediency in exercising the power. Our proposal that a suspended order cannot be restarted if a period of 24 months has elapsed would be both a safeguard to the liable person, to ensure they are not subject to an order over an indefinite period, and a measure that pressures the Cabinet Office to exercise the power responsibly.