UK Parliament / Open data

National Security Bill

Proceeding contribution from Lord Beamish (Labour) in the House of Commons on Monday, 6 June 2022. It occurred during Debate on bills on National Security Bill.

I am at a bit of a loss to understand why the Government have not brought forward reform of the 1989 Act, because the security services, in evidence to the Intelligence and Security Committee, has said it is unfit for purpose—I think even the Government have admitted that, and so has the Law Commission. If we do not amend or substantially change that Act, we will have a situation where someone can get life for foreign espionage under this legislation, but only two years under the Official Secrets Act 1989. Surely this is an opportunity to update all that legislation? I cannot understand why the Government are doing things in this way.

About this proceeding contribution

Reference

715 c572 

Session

2022-23

Chamber / Committee

House of Commons chamber
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