§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) on what dates(a) he first sought legal advice about the status of Parts IVA and IVB of the Prevention of Terrorism (Emergency Provisions) Act 1989, (b) he received that legal advice and (c) he advised the police not to rely on those Parts of the Act; [88732]
(2) on what date instructions were given to draft the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 (Revisal of Parts IVA and IVB) Order 1999; and if he will make a statement. [88801]
§ Mr. StrawInstructions were given on 21 June 1999 to draft the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 (Revival of Parts IVA and IVB) Order 1999.
The Law Officers received a written request from my Department for legal advice about the status of Parts IVA and IVB of the Act, and other related matters, on 1 June. They received Counsel's opinion on 17 June and gave their written advice to my Department on the same day. My officials provided me with detailed advice on 18 June.
Chief Officers were advised on 23 June 1999 that Parts IVA and IVB of the Prevention of Terrorism Act 1989 had not been in force since 22 March 1998 and that they should not, therefore, rely on these provisions. Prior to this, on 28 May, informal advice had been given to the Secretary of the relevant Committee of the Association of Chief Police Officers to the effect that a question mark had arisen about the status of the provisions and that urgent advice was being sought.