Concern at passport seizure plan

[dipsydoodle]

Plans to allow civil servants and private firms to seize passports without a court order violate the constitution, peers have warned.

The government wants to take passports and driving licences away from parents who refuse to pay child support.

It says it would only use the measures - contained in the Welfare Reform Bill - as a "last resort".

But the Lords Constitution Committee fears bureaucrats and firms hired by them are gaining too much power.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8014872.stm

Fuck New Labour.

[fedsron2us]

1. Best of luck with that one.

People who don't give a screw about paying for their kids are probably not too bothered about niceties such as insurance and driving licenses. As for taking passports this is easier said than done since the only place where they are easily confiscated is at renewal or at a border. Also this would have no impact on people with dual nationality since they would simply just travel on their alternative passport which by its very nature is beyond the remit of the UK government or its agents. Indeed, seizing such documents might well violate international law and have all sorts of diplomatic ramifications.