HL Deb 28 June 2000 vol 614 cc1045-6

(".—(1) The Prime Minister may, after consultation with the Chief Surveillance Commissioner as to numbers, appoint as Assistant Surveillance Commissioners such number of persons as the Prime Minister considers necessary (in addition to the ordinary Surveillance Commissioners) for the purpose of providing the Chief Surveillance Commissioner with assistance under this section.

(2) A person shall not be appointed as an Assistant Surveillance Commissioner unless he holds or has held office as—

  1. (a) a judge of the Crown Court or a Circuit judge;
  2. (b) a sheriff in Scotland; or
  3. (c) a county court judge in Northern Ireland.

(3) The Chief Surveillance Commissioner may require any ordinary Surveillance Commissioner or any Assistant Surveillance Commissioner to provide him with assistance in carrying out his functions under section 55(3).

(4) The assistance that may be provided under this section includes—

  1. (a) the conduct on behalf of the Chief Surveillance Commissioner of the review of any matter; and
  2. (b) the making of a report to the Chief Surveillance Commissioner about the matter reviewed.

(5) Subsections (3) to (8) of section 91 of the Police Act 1997 (Commissioners) apply in relation to a person appointed under this section as they apply in relation to a person appointed under that section.").

On Question, amendment agreed to.

Clause 56 [Delegation of Commissioners' functions]:

Lord Bach moved Amendments Nos. 192A to 193: Page 60, line 40, leave out from first ("the") to ("or") in line 41 and insert ("Intelligence Services Commissioner"). Page 60, line 41, after first ("Commissioner") insert (", the Investigatory Powers Commissioner for Northern Ireland"). Page 60, line 41, at end insert ("or Assistant Surveillance Commissioner").

On Question, amendments agreed to.

Clause 56, as amended, agreed to.

Lord Cope of Berkeley had given notice of his intention to move Amendment No. 194:

After Clause 56, insert the following new clause—