HC Deb 28 July 1998 vol 317 c175

Lords amendment: No. 16, after clause 12, to insert the following new clause—Interpretation: terrorism— . In this Act "terrorism" means the use of violence for political ends, and includes any use of violence for the purpose of putting the public or any section of the public in fear.

Mr. Ingram

I beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said amendment.

This amendment would add a new clause giving a definition of "terrorism" that is the same as the definition contained in the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989. The Government consider that it would be of value to have such a definition to avoid any possibility of ambiguity or a suggestion that the term might be used in a different sense in this Bill than in other legislation.

Mr. McNamara

I was interested to know why the new clause was necessary when there was a definition of "terrorism" in the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 and the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1991, under which people covered by this Bill had already been sentenced. I could see no reason why that definition was not being used when it was the definition under which they were sentenced.

We now have an explanation from my hon. Friend the Minister, for which we are grateful. I thank him for it.

Lords amendment agreed to.

Lords amendments Nos. 17 to 24 agreed to.