HC Deb 27 March 2001 vol 365 cc601-2W
Mr. Michael Jabez Foster

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he is taking to combat animal rights extremism. [156062]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

The Government have included a number of measures in the Criminal Justice and Police Bill, currently before Parliament, air led at combating the activities of animal rights extremists. These include a new power for police to remove pros esters from outside homes; measures to strengthen provisions on the sending of malicious communications; and a system to prevent disclosure of the home addresses of Directors of vulnerable companies.

We have also consulted closely with the police and the Crown Prosecution Service to encourage a consistent approach to enforcement in this area. A consultation document is being issued tomorrow, 28 March, setting out a package of measures in this area, and copies will be placed in the Library.