Terrorism (Detention and Human Rights)

The hon. Gentleman makes some important points. Will he acknowledge that one of the difficulties is that if we consider statements by Ministers, there is not much that justifies the case for an extension beyond 28 days? The Chancellor, for example, has spoken on this matter a number of times over the past year and generally used words that are similar to those used in the conclusions of the Home Affairs Committee report—a willingness to go beyond 28 days if the evidence justifies it, but no more than that. In addition, I am not aware that the Home Secretary has said anything that significantly varies from what the Committee said. One of the difficulties is that a number of newspaper stories claim that somebody from some newspaper has been told that there is the intention to introduce a measure to extend the 28 days, but the story is not sourced with any great authority. The Attorney-General’s view may reflect the current Government position that they will consider the issue, but that a case has not been made for an extension. In which case, it would be enormously helpful if they could make it clear whether that is their position and that they would not rule out a change if the evidence exists. Some of the background noise in the media about this subject may be contributing to the wider problems that the hon. Gentleman quite rightly raised.