[Nadine Dorries in the Chair]

Before we begin, I have a few preliminary announcements. Please switch electronic devices on to silent—thank you. Tea and coffee are not allowed during sittings.

Today, we will first consider the programme motion on the Amendment paper. We will then consider a motion to allow us to deliberate in private about our questions before the oral evidence sessions, before considering a motion to enable the reporting of written evidence for publication. I hope that we may take some of those formally, without debate . I call the Whip to move the first motion.

Ordered,

That—

(1) the Committee shall (in addition to its first meeting at 11.30 am on Thursday 24 March) meet—

(a) at 2.00 pm on Thursday 24 March;

(b) at 9.25 am and 2.00 pm on Tuesday 12 April;

(c) at 11.30 am and 2.00 pm on Thursday 14 April;

(d) at 9.25 am and 2.00 pm on Tuesday 19 April;

(e) at 11.30 am and 2.00 pm on Thursday 21 April;

(f) at 9.25 am and 2.00 pm on Tuesday 26 April;

(g) at 11.30 am and 2.00 pm on Thursday 28 April;

(h) at 9.25 am and 2.00 pm on Tuesday 3 May;

(i) at 11.30 am and 2.00 pm on Thursday 5 May;

(2) the Committee shall hear oral evidence on Thursday 24 March in accordance with the following Table:

TABLE

Time

Witness

Until no later than 12.00 pm

David Anderson Q.C., independent reviewer of terrorism legislation

Until no later than 12.30 pm

Don’t Spy on Us; Liberty

Until no later than 1.00 pm

International Institute for Strategic Studies; Lord Evans of Weardale

Until no later than 2.30 pm

NSPCC; Mr Ray McClure

Until no later than 3.00 pm

BT

Until no later than 3.30 pm

National Crime Agency; HM Revenue and Customs

Until no later than 4.00 pm

National Anti-Fraud Network

Until no later than 4.30 pm

Lord Judge, Chief Surveillance Commissioner; Interception of Communications Commissioner’s Office

Until no later than 5.00 pm

The Rt. Hon. the Lord Reid of Cardowan; The Rt. Hon. Charles Clarke

(3) proceedings on consideration of the Bill in Committee shall be taken in the following order: Clauses 1 to 6; Schedule 1; Clauses 7 to 10; Schedule 2; Clauses 11 to 48; Schedule 3; Clauses 49 to 61; Schedule 4; Clauses 62 to 74; Schedule 5; Clauses 75 to 96; Schedule 6; Clauses 97 to 207; Schedule 7; Clauses 208 to 212; Schedule 8; Clauses 213 to 231; Schedule 9; Clause 232; Schedule 10; Clause 233; new Clauses; new Schedules; remaining proceedings on the Bill;

(4) the proceedings shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at 5.00 pm on Thursday 5 May. —(Simon Kirby.)

Therefore, the deadline for amendments to be considered at the first two line-by-line sittings of the Committee on 12 April is 4.30 pm on Thursday 7 April.

Resolved,

That, at this and any subsequent meeting at which oral evidence is to be heard, the Committee shall sit in private until the witnesses are admitted.—(John Hayes.)

Resolved,

That, subject to the discretion of the Chair, any written evidence received by the Committee shall be reported to the House for publication.—(John Hayes.)

Copies of written evidence that the Committee receives will be made available in the Committee Room.

We will now move to the examination of the witnesses. We have agreed that Mr Starmer will open, but this is very informal, so anyone who wants to speak may do so at any time. Minister, you will wish to join in.