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Proceeding contribution from John Bercow (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Thursday, 10 November 2005. It occurred during Debate on bill on Terrorism Bill.


Terrorism Bill

My right hon. and learned Friend has just explained that one weakness of the Bill is that most of its provisions fail to add to what already exists on the statute book. Does he agree that a sign of the weakness in which the Government find themselves intellectually is that Ministers have taken refuge in arguing that opinion poll evidence shows that people support the Bill? Given that my right hon. and learned Friend and I are both staunch opponents of the death penalty, as are most Labour and Liberal Democrat Members, can he envisage circumstances in which Labour Members would seek to argue that opinions should be followed simply because it is public opinion? We have a responsibility to exercise our judgment.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
439 c522 
Session
2005-06
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Disclosure of information Criminal investigation Detainees Arrests Chemical weapons Custodial treatment Evidence Intelligence services Incitement National security Police Powers Prosecutions Nuclear weapons Police custody Publications Police interrogation Terrorism Training Timetables Remand in custody Encouragement of terrorism Sunset clauses
Legislation
Terrorism Bill 2005-06
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk