Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Bill

Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 9:45 pm on 4 December 2001.

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Photo of Lord Phillips of Sudbury Lord Phillips of Sudbury Liberal Democrat 9:45, 4 December 2001

The amendment seeks to soften the impact of Clause 103. As the clause stands, if the Minister has compulsorily to act—that is to say that he fails to reach the agreement which we all accept he and the Government will be earnestly seeking—one moves into a position where directions can be given for an initial period of two years. That is renewable ad nauseam.

We on this side of the House—there are several names attached to the amendment which cover the spectrum—feel that a better solution to the circumstances which give rise to compulsion would be for the compulsion period to end as soon as a satisfactory code has been developed. That is the simple purport of Amendment No. 173. I beg to move.