---

Terrorism Act 2000 (Proscribed Organisations) (Amendment) Order 2007

My Lords, I wish to raise two points on this order. The first is simply a matter of procedure that I raised with the noble Lord, Lord Bassam, when he dealt with this matter. One of our difficulties is that, when we consider proscribing organisations, we are presented with an order which is unamendable. It might help in future, and it would be procedurally satisfactory, if separate orders on each organisation were provided which could be debated in a single debate, with the agreement of the House. That would allow dissent, if appropriate, to be demonstrated. The Minister said that the two organisations for which proscription is sought must meet certain qualifications before that can happen. I should be clear that we have no difficulty whatever in agreeing to the Government’s recommendation. My problem relates to the TSNM and the JMB. Why, when we knew months ago of the bombings in at least 500 places in Bangladesh, are we only now being told about the proscription of the JMB? Why are we considering the proscription of the TSNM now, when its role, attacking coalition forces in Afghanistan and Pakistan, has been pretty clear? Information is required on why such a long period has elapsed before the order to deal with these two organisations has come before Parliament. Will the Minister ensure that in future, if there is a requirement for proscription, we are told not only what an organisation’s role has been abroad but, if specific information is available, whether it has any ties in the United Kingdom whereby the security of our country could be affected? In the mean time, we have no problem whatever in agreeing to the proscription of these organisations.