HL Deb 11 November 2003 vol 654 cc181-2WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether since 13 August authorisation of stop and search under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 for the whole of Greater London has resulted in the arrest or charging of any suspected terrorists; and if so, how many. [HL5238]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

The data collected on stops and searches made under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 is not automatically cross-referenced with the data held on arrests or on those charged. This information could only be collated and verified at disproportionate cost.

Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether authorisations under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 are now in force outside London; and whether the level of threat is sufficiently high to justify extending the authorisation for Greater London beyond November 2003. [HL5239]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

Many forces run short-term localised operations for a variety of situations that are supported by Section 44 powers. Such operations can include protective security arrangements for events or VIPs, intelligence gathering operations or measures taken in response to intelligence and threat assessments.

To disclose detailed information on the times and locations of such operations could compromise their future effectiveness and provide information that could prove valuable to terrorists.

The threat from terrorist attack in the UK remains real, and it is important that the Government provide the necessary assistance to the law enforcement agencies to meet this threat. Section 44 powers play an important part in this process.

However, it is important to note that each police authorisation of the Section 44 stop-and-search powers is subject to a high level of scrutiny and screening throughout the whole process. This involves the National Joint Unit at the Metropolitan Police and officials at the Home Office before being authorised by the Minister him or her self. This scrutiny revolves around a careful assessment of the threat balanced against the assessment of the risk of any designated or whole force area.