Clause 20
Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Bill
10:00 am
Paul Goggins (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Northern Ireland Office; Wythenshawe and Sale East, Labour)
The hon. Gentleman makes an important point about “reasonable” and its significance, but he must consider a situation in which an officer has to make a decision about whether to stop and question an individual. The certainty provided by “necessary” enables the officer to make a quick decision, which they will need to make in the circumstances. “Reasonable” would cause them to reflect longer in order to satisfy themselves that their actions were reasonable. In that period something may happen: the person may disappear or an event may take place. We seek to provide for certainty in the mind of the officer when they make that decision. “Necessary” does so; “reasonable” would make for wider consideration.