§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list(a) the time period and (b) the area covered for all authorisations for stop and search granted under section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 since 1 January.[119936]
§ Mr. BlunkettIt is a longstanding policy of this and previous administrations not to comment on operational counter-terrorist measures. However, I can confirm that Section 44 authorisations have been approved for periods of up to 28 days, covering both specifically designated zones, and entire force areas. The total number of stops and searches by force area are provided in the Home Office Statistical Bulletin—Arrests for Notifiable Offences and the Operation of Certain Police Powers under PACE.