Legislation
Proposed new legislation
The former Home Secretary announced to Parliament his intention to bring forward a new counter terrorism Bill later this year.
Some of the measures that might be included in a future bill were briefly outlined in the CT Bill 2007 Discussion paper. This was the start of the process of consultation with interested parties both inside and outside Parliament. This includes, the sharing of draft clauses later in the year and scrutiny by the Home Affairs Select Committee and the Joint Committee on Human Rights, before any legislation is introduced.
On 25 July the Prime Minister announced the publication of four consultation documents:
- Possible measures for inclusion in a future CT bill
- Options paper for pre charge detention in Terrorist Cases
- Crown Prosecution Service paper on judicial scrutiny of current pre charge detention limits
- Terrorist investigations and the French examining magistrates system
These legal measures are just one part of the Government’s overall counter terrorism strategy. This includes a refocused Home Office with the creation of the Office for Security and Counter Terrorism which delivers a new drive, more cohesion and a greater strategic capacity in the fight against terror.
By 2008, annual spending on counter-terrorism, intelligence and resilience will reach £2.25bn, which is double what it was prior to September 11. In conjunction with this it is vital that we aim to work with communities to isolate, prevent and defeat violent extremism. Prevention of terrorism must always be the priority and to do this we need the support of communities.
The consultation has now closed.
Read the responses to the proposed Counter Terrorism Bill 2007
Read the Government Discussion Paper on the proposed Counter Terrorism Bill 2007
