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Written question asked by Lord Blencathra (Conservative) on Friday, 20 November 2015, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Friday, 4 December 2015. It was answered by Lord Bates (Conservative) on Tuesday, 1 December 2015 on behalf of the Home Office.

British Nationals Abroad: Middle East

Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to follow the example of the government of Belgium which has passed a law to arrest all suspected extremists who have returned to Belgium from Syria or Iraq.

Answer

The UK has a wide range of disruptive tools and offences under which a suspected terrorist or violent extremist can be arrested and prosecuted. Earlier this year, we legislated, through the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 and the Serious Crime Act 2015, to strengthen further our capabilities to deal with the threat from foreign fighters and British-born jihadis who seek to harm the UK, including where they have undertaken prohibited activities abroad.We keep our counter-terrorism powers under constant review.

All decisions relating to the arrest, charge and prosecution of terrorism suspects are a matter for the police and the Crown Prosecution Service.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL3774
Session
2015-16
Subjects
Counter-terrorism Arrests Armed conflict British nationals abroad Iraq Terrorism Syria
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk