Government to reveal control order reforms

Bookmark and Share

Member News

13th January 2011

A government statement on plans to reform the system of control orders is expected later this month, the Commons has heard.

Commons leader Sir George Young said home secretary Theresa May will deliver a statement to the House in the week commencing January 24.

Sir George told MPs the work to reform security powers for terrorist suspects is "ongoing, and has not yet been completed".

During questions on future parliamentary business, Labour chair of the home affairs select committee Keith Vaz called for a statement on the government position on the future of control orders.

He told MPs: "I understand this went to Cabinet on Tuesday, it was then reported in the BBC and in other newspapers, indeed they have got the name of the order that is to replace the control order - it is to be called a surveillance order."

Vaz said these were "very important issues", currently being investigated by the select committee he chairs, adding "it would be very helpful for the home secretary to come forward and give a statement".

He suggested May might be able to deliver a statement next week
In response, the Commons leader said the review of security powers was ongoing and yet to be completed.

He told MPs: "The home secretary will make a statement to the House once it is completed and I expect that statement to be made in the week commencing January 24.

"These are important issues, they are controversial issues."

At prime minister's question time yesterday, David Cameron said he hoped an all-party agreement can be reached on the important issue.

"The reason we have all talked about reviewing control orders is that we want to ensure that the answer that we come up with is good for liberty and good for security," he told the Commons.

Bookmark and Share

Have your say...

Please enter your comments below.

Name

Your e-mail address


Listen to audio version

Please type in the letters or numbers shown above (case sensitive)

Related News

Civil liberties speech in full - Deputy prime minister

Ministers defend community sentencing

Clarke plans 'radical' changes to prison

Youths criminalised 'so politicians can make headlines'

Johnson releases top terror suspect



Latest news

Localism Bill needs to give local communities 'real power'

As the Localism Bill is subject to its first debate in Parliament, the Campaign to Protect Rural England questions whether the Bill will do enough to empower local communities.


Labour victory in Oldham East by-election

Labour has won the Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election with a majority of more than 3,500.


Constitutional experts query 'Cleggery' in Cabinet Manual

A panel of academics has questioned the inclusion of Nick Clegg's views on who has the right to govern in the recently published Cabinet Manual, which many see as the first step towards a written constitution.


Cable's new need for a rhino hide


MP urges improved science careers guidance


Watchdog to investigate Lib Dem sting


Industry welcomes the phasing out of the DRA


Peers 'should be allowed to retire'


More from Dods