Clause 26
Counter-Terrorism Bill
2:00 pm
Tony McNulty (Minister of State (Security, Counter-terrorism, Crime and Policing), Home Office; Harrow East, Labour)
I can assure the hon. and learned Gentleman that if it transpires that it is as irrelevant as the item in that Northern Ireland Bill I shall happily—I am in the mood, as the Committee has already seen this morning—accept an amendment from the Opposition deleting the phrase “noxious thing”. The full extent of what it adds to our knowledge and to the 2001 Act may well be utterly redundant, but I suspect that that is not the case. I cannot off the top of my head think of a noxious thing that is other than a noxious substance. But these little tests are sent to try us. If I do get inspiration—if it is afforded during our deliberations—I will, of course, let the Committee know. Otherwise, I shall welcome with open arms the hon. and learned Gentleman’s amendment. For now, however, let us leave “noxious thing” in the 2001 Act, and the references to “noxious thing” in the Bill. I shall scurry away, do my homework and inform the Committee in due course whether there are noxious things that are other than noxious substances.