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Terrorism Bill

moved Amendment No. 81:"After Clause 29, insert the following new clause—" ““COUNTER-TERRORIST POWERS (1)   Part V of the Terrorism Act 2000 (c. 11) (counter-terrorist powers) is amended as follows. (2)   In section 44 (authorisations)— (a)   in subsection (3), for the words after ““if”” to the end, substitute ““the person giving it reasonably considers it to be necessary for the prevention of acts of terrorism””; (b)   after subsection (3) insert— ““(3A)   The area or place specified in the authorisation may not be greater in extent than is necessary for the purposes of the authorisation.”” (3)   In section 46 (duration of authorisations)— (a)   in subsection (3), after ““practicable”” insert ““and in any event within 24 hours””; (b)   for subsection (7) substitute— ““(7)   An authorisation may be renewed on one occasion only by order of a circuit judge on application by the person who gave it or by a person who could have given it.””; (c)   after subsection (7) insert— ““(8)   If satisfied that it is necessary for the prevention of acts of terrorism, a circuit judge may make an order under subsection (7) for a period not exceeding three months and may by such order vary the extent of the area or place specified in the authorisation.”” (4)   After section 46 insert— ““46A   PUBLICITY    The Secretary of State shall publicise without delay and in such manner as he considers appropriate, the confirmation, cancellation or renewal of an authorisation under sections 44 and 46.”””” The noble Lord said: My Lords, in moving the amendment, I do not propose to put it to the House at this stage. It builds upon the attempt by the noble Baroness, Lady Kennedy of The Shaws, to put some limits on the power of the police to stop and search under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000. The purpose of the amendment is to ensure that the powers can be granted only where it is reasonably considered to be necessary and that the area or place specified in the authorisation may not be greater in extent than is necessary—in Committee, we heard that the whole of the Metropolitan Police area was said to be designated as a place where stop and search can occur. Finally, we seek to have some control by a circuit judge of the procedure and publication of the confirmation, cancellation or renewal of an authorisation that has been made under Sections 44 and 46. The amendment builds on the amendment of the noble Baroness, Lady Kennedy. It is subject to discussions with other parties. I do not propose to take the matter further today.