Commons set to vote on anti-terror laws
The Government is facing a major political test as it attempts to get its controversial anti-terrorism powers through the House of Commons.
Although there has been much talk over the weekend of a possible compromise on the ordering of control orders, the Government has said it will not be tabling any amendments to the bill prior to the debate.
Both the Liberal Democrat and Conservative leaders have suggested that the Government considers allowing judges to make the control orders in the first instance, rather than the Home Secretary.
The issuing of a control order could see a terrorist suspect – of any nationality – banned from using the internet, meeting with certain persons or even placed under house arrest.
The Government has insisted that it is necessary for the Home Secretary to make the order in the first instance, and for it then to be reviewed by a judge, for reasons of speed.
But the Lib Dems, and a number of Labour backbenchers, believe that politicians should never be granted such power.
And the Conservatives are angry at the tight timetabling of the bill, arguing that the House should be given more time to consider the legislation.
At the bill’s previous reading, 32 Labour backbenchers voted against the measures, with a number abstaining. If the Government does not make any concessions, this number is likely to be significantly higher tonight.
Although the Government is likely to get the bill through the Commons it has no overall majority in the Lords and is likely to face tough resistance there.
The committee stage and third reading of the bill is the main business in the House of Commons today. The debate is likely to begin just before 1600 and the debate could continue until 2200 tonight.
