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Counter-Terrorism Bill
9:00 am
Tom Brake (Shadow Minister (London and the Olympics), Culture, Media & Sport; Carshalton and Wallington, Liberal Democrat)
Amendments Nos. 44 and 197 are similar. A few moments ago, the Minister spoke about the need for clarity. The amendments would clarify in what circumstances the law would be applied. My hon. Friend the Member for Somerton and Frome whispered in my ear that someone preparing material for Jane’s Fighting Ships might fall foul of the clause. Did the plane spotters in Greece have a reasonable excuse for what they were doing? Was the fact that they were plane spotters a sufficient safeguard? I hope that the Minister will go away and look again at the matter. Under the amendments, it would be necessary to show clear intent that the information procured will be useful to someone committing or preparing an act of terrorism. We need that sort of clarity in the Bill, and I hope that he will take that on board.