UK Parliament / Open data

Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Bill

I have listened to what people have said. I think the Minister made the important point here: we still have a hang-up about DNA samples.

I agree that perception is what matters, and it may be that I am slightly ahead of public perception, but I do not see any difference between being asked to give a DNA sample for identification and almost any other method of doing so. If it involved taking blood or something then that would be another matter, but nowadays DNA can be taken by a simple swab. It is self-evident that if you do not have matching DNA then that does not take you very far, but there would be many circumstances in which, having suspected someone, having their DNA might at some stage be useful. I do not accept the general point that there is something sinister about DNA that means we should not use it; I think it should be used a great deal more than it is. Having said that, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment.

About this proceeding contribution

Reference

793 c1933 

Session

2017-19

Chamber / Committee

House of Lords chamber
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