§ Baroness Pitkeathleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will publish the report of the noble Lord, Lord Carlile, into the operation of Part IV of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. [HL1651]
§ Lord FilkinThe noble Lord, Lord Carlile of Berriew, has completed the report on the operation of Part IV of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001, which will be laid before the House today.
My right honourable friend the Home Secretary is grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Carlile, for his detailed work and is pleased to note that he is satisfied that the Home Secretary has certified persons only in appropriate cases and that he has exercised his independent judgment in each case, having given due regard to advice from officials.
The report follows the decision of the Court of Appeal in October last year which unanimously upheld the need for these detention powers. The court held that the powers are not discriminatory and comply with the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Home Secretary welcomes the recommendations of the noble Lord, Lord Carlile, which he will be considering in detail over the next few weeks. In relation to the recommendation for the detainees to be held in a separate facility within the Prison Service, the Home Secretary has agreed to this principle, subject to further detailed feasibililty work.