Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures

CCTV – in the House of Commons at 2:30 pm on 11 February 2013.

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Photo of John Robertson John Robertson Labour, Glasgow North West 2:30, 11 February 2013

How many people are subject to a terrorism prevention and investigation measure.

Photo of James Brokenshire James Brokenshire The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department

In the last quarterly report on the exercise of powers in the Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Act 2011, for the reporting period 1 September to 30 November 2012, 10 people were subject to a TPIM notice during that time.

Photo of John Robertson John Robertson Labour, Glasgow North West

It is nearly 50 days since Ibrahim Magag went missing and the now famous absconding black cab shows that the Home Secretary made a mistake with TPIMs. Will the Minister say whether Ibrahim Magag was under surveillance at that time—nothing technical, a yes or no will do?

Photo of James Brokenshire James Brokenshire The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department

The operation to locate Ibrahim Magag is ongoing and the police are doing everything in their power to locate and indentify that individual. The hon. Gentleman would perhaps agree that the best place for a terrorist is in prison, and that is why the Government have committed additional resources to supplement the TPIM regime and ensure a balance of preventive measures as well as ensuring that people are brought to justice.

Photo of Paul Goggins Paul Goggins Labour, Wythenshawe and Sale East

What progress has been made on locating Ibrahim Magag. Lord Carlile recently confirmed that no individual absconded while subject to a relocation order. Is the fact that Mr Magag did not abscond while he was relocated but did abscond when he was allowed back to London clear evidence that the decision to remove relocation powers was a serious mistake? Will the Minister look again at that decision?

Photo of James Brokenshire James Brokenshire The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department

I do not accept the right hon. Gentleman’s point. Indeed, in evidence to the Home Affairs Committee, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner did not say that a parallel such as that the right hon. Gentleman seeks to make could be drawn. We are reviewing the incident closely, as we would any incident of this kind, and if practical issues need to be adopted we will certainly consider and adopt them.

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