Counter-Terrorism Bill

My Lords, I apologise. The only excuse I can offer is that reaching for my notes is sometimes difficult with only one hand and takes me longer. I apologise for taking the time of the House and conclude on a cautionary note. In the official Hansard report of the proceedings in your Lordships’ House at the time the proposal was made to extend the pre-charge detention time to 60 days, now some 18 months ago, genuine fears were expressed that such an extension would enflame Muslim youths who might then turn to terrorism. This fear was expressed, albeit in a different form of words from my own, by a noble friend who, I understand, has business interests in a Muslim country and so is much more aware than was I of the feeling of opposition and the fear that reprisal action might be taken. I respect his greater knowledge because of his travels in Muslim countries, but we must also consider the indigenous and native-born extremist elements in our country. If we and the Government should be perceived as sitting on our hands because we have neither the courage nor the will or wisdom to take proper and legitimate measures against suspected terrorists, I fear that these other native-born extremists may act cruelly and indiscriminately. We have literally thousands of Muslim families living peacefully and contentedly in this country, their adopted home. Their families are as entitled to education, health, housing, employment and ambitions for their children as are the families, like mine and other noble Lords’, who have been here for generations. Do not let us forsake or forget them. They too are as vulnerable to the men of violence as we all are. We have a duty to protect them, as well as the second, third and fourth generations of native-born Britishers.