§ Dr. MawhinneyI beg to move amendment No. 16, in page 13, line 5, after 'seize' insert
',and detain for not more than four hours,'.The amendment gives effect to a commitment which I gave in Committee. Clause 18(4) provides a new power for the armed forces to seize items which are, have been or are intended to be used in the commission of an offence under clauses 24 or 25.I gave a commitment to the Committee to consider whether it would be desirable to limit the new power of seizure to a maximum of four hours, as with the power to arrest and detain persons under clause 18(1). The Government have decided that it would be desirable to make this change, and the amendment makes the necessary provision.
The effect of the amendment is that, if after four hours the items had not already been returned to their owners, they would have to be returned, unless the police considered it necessary to retain them under their powers in clause 17(3).
I hope that the House will welcome the amendment.
§ Mr. McNamaraOn behalf of the Opposition, I should like to say that I am glad that the Government have met our concerns. I am happy to accept the amendment.
§ Amendment agreed to.