Clause 27
Counter-Terrorism Bill
2:30 pm
Dominic Grieve (Shadow Attorney General, Law Officers; Beaconsfield, Conservative)
I am grateful that the Minister has taken on board the anxiety that has been expressed that we should not facilitate trials without juries and for the assurance that he will look at that. In conclusion, I slightly reserve my position on subsection (6). I continue to have anxiety about the retrospectivity of these provisions. It may, as my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham rightly said, prove to be entirely academic because it is hoped that such a case will not arise. However, I think that people are entitled to the benefit of the jurisdiction in which they commit their offences. If Parliament is going to remove that, to do so retrospectively is a slightly dubious procedure. I shall reflect on that and I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.