Clause 58
Counter-Terrorism Bill
4:30 pm
Dominic Grieve (Shadow Attorney General, Law Officers; Beaconsfield, Conservative)
I agree with my right hon. and learned Friend that the wording of clause 57(4) could, strictly speaking, despite the comments of the hon. Member for Somerton and Frome, allow everyone to be excluded from the proceedings. However, it seems to me that the special advocate is not a party to the proceedings. I find the wording of clause 58 odd, and I think that my right hon. and learned Friend’s amendment would make an important clarification, but I would not read clause 58(3)(b) as precluding the presence of the special advocate at the application.