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Terrorism (Northern Ireland) Bill

No, the letter did not indicate that, but allow me to cite another of the important points in Lord Carlile’s letter that the hon. Gentleman and the House will want to hear. He said:"““In my view the duration of the powers proposed in the Bill is justified on the merits and proportional.””" The word ““proportional”” is very appropriate. Each year Parliament has approved the continued use of the provisions and agreed that they are an appropriate response to the threat. Earlier this year we identified several provisions relating to bail and the treatment of juveniles that were no longer needed and took them out of force. Last year, we lapsed a provision on port and border controls with no ill effect. All that has happened because the security situation in Northern Ireland has improved and other structural and legislative developments have meant that some of the provisions are no longer necessary.