Part of Investigatory Powers Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 7:15 pm on 3 May 2016.
Joanna Cherry
Shadow SNP Westminster Group Leader (Justice and Home Affairs)
7:15,
3 May 2016
New Clause 24 is a true Sunset clause, modelled on clause 1 of the Armed Forces Bill currently before Parliament. We had a spirited debate before the break about potential replacements for clause 222, which is a clause of review. The new clause is another alternative—a sunset clause in the true meaning of the term, which would provide for the Act to expire at the end of a certain period, subject to certain provisos. I do not intend to push the new clause further at this point, given the position we took in relation to new clause 23.
A sunset clause is a provision of a law which causes the law to (in effect) repeal itself automatically. They are typically used as a form of concession when debating controversial proposals.
A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.
Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.
During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.
When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.
