Counter-Terrorism Bill

Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 4:00 pm on 9 October 2008.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Lord Dubs Lord Dubs Labour 4:00, 9 October 2008

This amendment, too, stems from discussions in the Joint Committee on Human Rights. Clause 20(2) says:

"Nothing in that section authorises a disclosure", and mentions two bits of legislation, the Data Protection Act and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act; so those must be adhered to.

The amendment simply seeks to add certain other bits of legislation on a par with the ones that have already been mentioned. I believe the Minister will say that these are not necessary. If itemising the Human Rights Act and the UN convention against torture is not necessary, why are we including the Data Protection Act and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act? If we mention two bits of legislation in this clause, why cannot we mention others just to be on the safe side? I am not quite clear what the logic is. I beg to move.