Counter-Terrorism Bill

moved Amendment No. 1: 1: After Clause 22, insert the following new Clause— ““Independent Commissioner for Terrorist Suspects (1) The Secretary of State shall appoint a person to be known as the Independent Commissioner for Terrorist Suspects (the ““Commissioner””). (2) The principal function of the Commissioner shall be to monitor the detention and treatment of terrorist suspects held under section 41 and Schedule 8 to the Terrorism Act 2000 (c. 11). He shall also perform such other related functions as the Secretary of State may from time to time determine. (3) The Secretary of State may appoint not more than two deputy Commissioners to assist the Commissioner in the performance of his duties. (4) The police shall give the Commissioner such assistance as he may reasonably require to enable him to perform his functions. (5) The Commissioner shall make an annual report to Parliament as to the carrying out of his functions under this section.”” The noble and learned Lord said: My Lords, this is a shortened version of the amendment that I moved on Report. The noble Lord, Lord West, was good enough to say that he would accept the substance of that amendment. This shortened version spells out the substance of the amendment as I see it, and I had hoped that it might have been agreed in time for Third Reading. That has not proved possible. The noble Lord needs more time, and of course I accept and understand that. I will not divide the House on the amendment. At least this amendment at Third Reading gives the noble Lord the opportunity to say again what the Government intend to do about this proposal. I live in hope that he will be able to find a slot for it, perhaps in some forthcoming criminal justice Bill but, at any rate, during the next Session. I beg to move.