Modern Slavery Bill evidence programme announced

The House of Commons Public Bill Committee considering the Government's Modern Slavery Bill will hear oral evidence on Monday 21 July 2014.

The Committee will then consider the Bill on Tuesday 2, Thursday 4, Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 September, concluding on Tuesday 14 October.

The provisional programme of witnesses for the Modern Slavery Bill has been agreed by its Programming Sub-Committee.

The meetings are open to the public.

Programme and witnesses

Monday 21 July

Taking place in the Boothroyd Room Portcullis House

Watch Parliament TV: Follow the Modern Slavery Bill Committee evidence session Monday 21 July

From c3.30pm until no later than 4pm:

Alison Saunders, Director of Public Prosecutions
Ian Cruxton, Director, Organised Crime Command, National Crime Agency

c4pm until no later than 4.45pm

Dr Charles Reed, foreign policy adviser, Mission and Public Affairs Team, Church of England;
Mrs Cecilia Taylor-Camara, Head of the Bishops’ Conference Office for Migration Policy, Catholic Bishops for England and Wales

c4.45pm until no later than 5.30pm

Lucy Maule, Events Manager and Senior Researcher, Centre for Social Justice
Kate Roberts, Community Advocate, Kalayaan
Andrew Wallis, CEO, Unseen UK

c5.30pm until no later than 6pm

Nadine Finch, Garden Court Chambers
Peter Carter QC, Red Lion Chambers

Line by line scrutiny of the Bill

Line by line scrutiny of the Bill will take place in Committee Room 12, Palace of Westminster, on the following days:

Tuesday 2 September 9.25am and 2pm
Thursday 4 September 11.30am and 2pm
Tuesday 9 September 9.25am and 2pm
Thursday 11 September 11.30am and 2pm
Tuesday 14 October 9.25am and 2pm

The Committee must complete consideration of the Bill no later than 5pm on Tuesday 14 October.

These sessions will be open to the public on a first come, first served basis. There is no system for the prior reservation of seats in Committee Rooms.

It is advisable to allow about 20 minutes to pass through security checks. Timings and room numbers are subject to change.

Aims of the Modern Slavery Bill

The Bill extends to England and Wales and has four main parts:

Part 1 would largely consolidate the existing slavery and trafficking offences.
Part 2 would introduce two new civil orders to enable the courts to place restrictions on those convicted of modern slavery offences, or those involved in such offences but not yet convicted.
Part 3 would establish a new Anti-Slavery Commissioner to encourage good practice on the prevention of modern slavery offences and the identification of victims.
Part 4 is based largely on the Joint Committee’s recommendations on treatment of victims. It includes a new statutory defence for slavery or trafficking victims compelled to commit criminal offences, and provision for new child trafficking advocates.

Follow the progress of the Modern Slavery Bill

The Modern Slavery Bill was introduced into the House of Commons on 10 June 2014. The second reading of the Bill took place on Tuesday 8 July, giving MPs their first opportunity to debate the main principles of the Bill.

Have your say on the Modern Slavery Bill

Although the Committee will start hearing oral evidence on Monday 21 July, the Committee is still able to receive written evidence from those with relevant expertise and experience or a special interest in the Bill.

Find out more: Have your say on the Modern Slavery Bill

Further Information

The Scrutiny Unit can help with any queries about oral evidence.

This article was produced by the Commons Digital Outreach Team. Follow @HouseofCommons on Twitter for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber.