Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 (Continuance in force of sections 21 to 23) Order 2004

Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 1:15 pm on 11 March 2004.

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Photo of Lord Lester of Herne Hill Lord Lester of Herne Hill Liberal Democrat 1:15, 11 March 2004

My Lords, I thank the Minister for giving way. As the Minister will be aware, the speeches made by the noble Baroness, Lady Hayman, and others suggest that the robust measures—words used by the noble Baroness four or five times—do not deal with her devastating point that the measures are both under-inclusive and over-inclusive. They are under-inclusive in that they do not deal with some really nasty people who are British citizens; they are over-inclusive in taking unnecessary powers that could be dealt with in a more proportionate way.

Can the Minister give an assurance that the under-inclusiveness—that they do not go far enough—and the over-inclusiveness will be dealt with urgently so that the House has options properly considered by the Home Office back with us well before a year from now? I think that that is what all sides of the House are asking the Minister to tell us.