Counter-Terrorism Bill

The main thrust of the debate has been to the credit of the House. We have had a good debate on contentious and serious matters—of that there is no doubt. People need to understand that the Bill is the product of some six months of internal deliberations across the Government and the best part of nine months of external consultation that, frankly, surpassed many of the House's attempts at pre-legislative scrutiny. We have been out there scrutinising the Bill and consulting people who are directly affected.