HL Deb 28 March 2001 vol 624 c43WA
Lord Hardy of Wath

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What measures they are taking to combat animal rights extremism. [HL1447]

Lord Bassam of Brighton

The Government has included a number of measures in the Criminal Justice and Police Bill, currently before Parliament, aimed at combating the activities of animal rights extremists. These include a new power for police to remove protestors 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.