Counter-Terrorism Bill
10:30 am
Witness
Tuesday 22nd April
Until no later than 12.00 noon
Association of Chief Police Officers; Sir Ian Blair, Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis
Until no later than 1.00 p.m.
JUSTICE
Tuesday 22nd April
Until no later than 4.50 p.m.
The Director of Public Prosecutions; Crown Prosecution Service
Until no later than 5.40 p.m.
The Rt Hon Lord Goldsmith QC
Until no later than 6.30 p.m.
Lord Dear
Until no later than 7.00 p.m.
The Rt Hon Elish Angiolini QC WS, Lord Advocate Scotland
Thursday 24th April
Until no later than 10.25 a.m.
Liberty
Thursday 24th April
Until no later than 1.45 p.m.
Lord Carlile of Berriew QC
Until no later than 2.30 p.m.
Coroners’ Society of England and Wales
Until no later than 4.30 p.m.
Home Office
(3) proceedings on consideration of the Bill in Committee shall be taken in the following order: Clauses 1 to 22; Schedule 1; Clauses 23 to 31; Schedule 2; Clauses 32 to 37; Schedule 3; Clauses 38 and 39; Clause 45; Clauses 40 to 44; Clauses 46 to 55; Schedules 4 and 5; Clauses 56 to 89; Schedule 6; Clauses 90 to 92; new Clauses; new Schedules; remaining proceedings on the Bill;
(4) the proceedings shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at 4.00 p.m. on Thursday 15th May.
I, like Mr. Heath, look forward to the Committee’s proceedings under your august chairmanship, Mr. Bercow. Hopefully, our deliberations will be dealt with in good spirit and temper, although we will be dealing with some very sensitive and contentious matters. I am happy that Mr. O’Hara will be your confrère. Although these rooms are wonderful, I am an old-fashioned sort and I hope that we will be duly dispatched back to a rickety old Committee Room in the House of Commons where I can do very strange things such as stand when I move a motion, especially now that we are in spring rather than winter. I welcome everyone to the Committee and hope that our deliberations, although at times serious, are done in a fair and temperate fashion.
The programme motion before us follows two sets of deliberations by the Programming Sub-Committee. What is before us represents the practicable outcome of a range of suggestions from both sides during those deliberations. The set of witnesses to be called is balanced and for the most part it is an entirely relevant set of individuals, some of whom represent organisations, who will bring timely experience to the debate. With all due humility, I include myself and my officials in that as we will be witnesses in the last session.
In terms of what Mr. Heath has just said, I made it very clear at the Programming Sub-Committee that, if required, I would be happy for all parties to write to the invitees who, for whatever reason, are unable to come before us, asking them to submit written evidence. I am grateful for what you said, Mr. Bercow. As Mr. Heath quite rightly said, we sought the Information Commissioner and the intercept commissioner. I think that Lord Stevens is unable to attend, even though he is erroneously published in today’s Hansard as attending. If the Chairman’s request does not elicit such information, I would be quite happy for all parties to write to the Information Commissioner and others who have been invited, albeit on an informal basis. We have a measured, balanced and interesting list of witnesses and I have no doubt that they will produce four lively sittings. They are all relevant and germane to the issues. I do not accept the amendment and propose that the Committee accepts the programming motion so that we can get on with the fun.