Debates between Iain Duncan Smith and Kevin Hollinrake during the 2019 Parliament

Mon 7th Mar 2022
Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill
Commons Chamber

Committee stage: Committee of the whole House & Committee stage

Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill

Debate between Iain Duncan Smith and Kevin Hollinrake
Iain Duncan Smith Portrait Sir Iain Duncan Smith
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They should, because the individual has to declare the whole chain. “Not knowing” would be no excuse. It would be the responsibility of individuals to know who those nominees were and to declare them They could not defend themselves. What my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for South Swindon (Sir Robert Buckland) suggested might be a better way of doing this, but my point is that my amendment would nevertheless address it.

Kevin Hollinrake Portrait Kevin Hollinrake (Thirsk and Malton) (Con)
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I am not sure that my right hon. Friend is correct. The Bill defines a legal entity as

“a body corporate, partnership or other entity”.

rather than an individual. I am not sure that, in those circumstances, the amendment would cover the individual.

Iain Duncan Smith Portrait Sir Iain Duncan Smith
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It might not, but I think it would, because it covers the information that individuals are asked to declare. It may not cover the sanction on the individual, but it covers the knowledge of who that individual is. If there is a better way to do it, however, I am up for it. That is feasible, and it may be that my right hon. and learned Friend’s way of doing it is a better way.