Clause 7 - Urgency
Civil Contingencies Bill
4:15 pm
Mr Patrick Mercer (Newark, Conservative)
I hope that I can deal with the amendments quickly, much to everyone's relief.
This is a simple point. The Bill revolves around the most serious style of emergency that the country is likely to face. I fully understand that, by definition, emergencies are unlikely to be clear, but events will move quickly and reports will be confusing, I believe that we need a stronger phraseology to ensure that the emergency powers do not appear to be imposed on a whim.
That is why I believe that the phrase ''believes on reasonable grounds'' should replace ''thinks''. It would suggest that Ministers who are responsible for imposing the powers have had the difficulties explained to them to the best of their knowledge and understanding and that their decision is made after a balanced and due process of thought and discussion. The word ''think'' suggests uncertainty and that Ministers may react viscerally rather than in a balanced fashion. That is why I believe that it is inadequate and that a stronger phrase should be used, namely ''believes on reasonable grounds''.