§ Mr. BradshawTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish his proposals for non-temporary UK-wide legislation against terrorism. [64784]
§ Mr. StrawI have today published, jointly with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, a consultation document containing proposals to replace the current temporary framework of legislation against terrorism with permanent United Kingdom-wide provisions.
The document sets out the Government's proposals for police powers and other measures which would apply throughout the United Kingdom to deal with the threat 726W from all forms of terrorism, including those which might develop in the future. The proposals take proper account of the peace process and the security situation in Northern Ireland. They also introduce measures to combat domestic terrorism and strengthen our response to the continuing threat from international terrorism.
The proposals in the consultation document are designed to be both effective and proportionate in responding to terrorism whilst ensuring that individual rights are protected and that the United Kingdom's international commitments are fulfilled.
Views are invited on all of the proposals discussed in the document, and the consultation period will last until 16 March 1999. Following this, proposals will be drawn up for new counter-terrorist legislation, to be introduced at a suitable opportunity.