§ Mr. Peter BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he662W has made of the appropriateness of anti-terrorism measures taken in public places; and if he will make a statement. [81438]
§ Mr. StrawThe joint Home Office/Northern Ireland Office consultation paper "Legislation Against Terrorism", which was issued on 17 December last year, examined the powers available under existing counter-terrorist legislation, including the measures available for use in public places. The use made of these measures in a particular area is the operational responsibility for the relevant Chief Officer of police.
The consultation paper concluded that the current powers under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (1989) allowing the police in Great Britain to stop, question, search and arrest (including at ports) for terrorist purposes should for the most part be retained in the proposed permanent United Kingdom wide counter-terrorist legislation—though with some possible modifications. The paper also flagged up that, depending on the security situation at the time, new counter-terrorist legislation might also need to include additional temporary measures extending only to Northern Ireland. If this were the case, these additional measures would be phased out as soon as the security situation allowed.
The consultation period for the "Legislation Against Terrorism" consultation paper ended on 16 March this year. We are analysing the responses. It is envisaged new counter-terrorist legislation will be introduced when a suitable legislative opportunity arises.