HC Deb 11 July 1973 vol 859 cc1675-6
Mr. Bishop

I beg to move Amendment No. 16, in page 13, line 8, leave out 'force' and insert: 'such force as is reasonable in the circumstances'. We raised this matter in Committee on the Question, "That the clause stand part of the Bill". The clause says: … to do anything which, apart from the direction, would constitute an act of violence; but nothing in this subsection shall restrict the use of force by various named persons in the exercise of a power conferred … These are very wide powers. We believe there are occasions when force will be necessary, but it is essential, especially in view of our misgivings about the employment of security forces, that there should be no more force than is reasonable.

Mr. Onslow

As I indicated earlier, this is an amendment which we are happy to accept. This shows that, contrary to the charges levelled by the hon. Member earlier, the Government are no less jealous of the civil liberties in this country than are the Opposition. On that basis, I am happy to accept the amendment.

Amendment agreed to.

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