Paul Goggins (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Northern Ireland Office; Wythenshawe & Sale East, Labour)

I give credit to my hon. Friend the Member for Foyle and members of his party; they have indeed taken a risk in recent years by showing their support for the police and the rule of law and being prepared to engage with the issues. Some of them have paid a heavy price. I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for giving me the opportunity to acknowledge and applaud that. They have given a lead, and it has not always been easy. If my hon. Friend wishes to respond, I am sure that he will find an opportunity to do so.

Clause 25 clarifies certain powers, particularly the power to stop and search a vehicle. That is important in respect of Northern Ireland and the type of threats  that we are discussing. Obviously, people can move vehicles round with explosives in them so we must provide such powers. There is also a power under the clause that requires someone to remain with a vehicle or to go with it when it is searched for munitions and transmitters. That is necessary as individuals could attempt to walk away from a vehicle that is being searched. We have thought through the matter carefully and believe that such powers are necessary in respect of both premises and vehicles. I encourage the Committee to support the clause.

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