HC Deb 29 July 1988 vol 138 cc757-8W
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to publish a Bill to replace the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984.

Mr. Hurd

The Government intend to publish proposals for legislation to replace the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984 later in the life of this Parliament.

Mrs. Ann Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of British citizens against whom a new exclusion order was made under section 3(5) of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984 in each year from 1984 to 1988, who were not served with their new order within two weeks of it being made; and how many remain so to be served.

Mr. Hurd

I am informed that all exclusion orders made under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984 between the coming into force of the Act on 22 March 1984 and 31 March 1988, against British citizens not previously excluded, were served within two weeks of being made.

Mrs. Ann Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will describe the procedure currently followed when conducting reviews prior to the expiry date of an exclusion order made under sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984 to determine whether a new exclusion order should be made under the Act; and what opportunity is offered to the individual concerned to make representations against the new order.

Mr. Hurd

One month after an exclusion order is made a letter is sent to the subject of the order explaining that before the order expires, three years from the date it was made, the Secretary of State will consider whether or not to make a further order. The excluded person is invited to inform the Home Office of any change of address during the next three years so that contact can be made when the review is due. Enclosed with the letter is a form which the excluded person may use at any time to give details relevant to the reconsideration of the order; the person is asked whether he is prepared to be interviewed by a police officer as part of the review process. The person is asked to return the form after about two and a half years. If it is not returned, a further form will be sent at that time, and the authorities in Northern Ireland will be asked for help in tracing the person's current address, if necessary.

If the Secretary of State decides to make a further order, the excluded person, when he is sent the order, is told of his rights under section 7 of the 1984 Act to make representations against the order.