Hughes quizzes Hanson on Control Orders (Twickenham & Richmond Liberal Democrats)

Hughes quizzes Hanson on Control Orders

July 25, 2009 5:17 PM

• [Jul 06] Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey, Liberal Democrat): ' . . WILL not Ministers now accept that the case made from the Liberal Democrat Benches consistently and by former Law Lords regularly, and now upheld by the senior court of the land, is that control orders should go and go now and be replaced by alternatives that uphold civil liberties rather than take them away?'

What his most recent assessment is of the efficacy of control orders; and if he will make a statement. (HC Deb, 6 July 2009, c684)

David Hanson (Minister of State (Crime and Policing), Home Office; Delyn, Labour): The Government keep all counter-terrorism legislation under regular review. That includes control orders, where we are currently considering the impact of the recent House of Lords judgment. (HC Deb, 6 July 2009, c684)

Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey, Liberal Democrat): While many people will be grateful on a one-off basis that the Home Office has given the relevant papers for Abu Rideh to leave the country and join his family abroad safely, will not Ministers now accept that the case made from the Liberal Democrat Benches consistently and by former Law Lords regularly, and now upheld by the senior court of the land, is that control orders should go and go now and be replaced by alternatives that uphold civil liberties rather than take them away? (HC Deb, 6 July 2009, c684)

David Hanson (Minister of State (Crime and Policing), Home Office; Delyn, Labour): The hon. Gentleman will know that I am not able to comment on individual cases, but the House of Lords judgment obviously raises a number of key issues. We are reflecting on those issues, and I assure him that, as before, the various House of Lords judgments will ensure that we remain fully compliant with human rights legislation. We need to look at and reflect on the question of disclosure in some control order cases, and I shall report on behalf of myself and my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to the House on the outcomes very shortly. We have written to the High Court to outline the Government's approach; it is content with that; and we will respond very shortly. (HC Deb, 6 July 2009, c684)

Richmond upon Thames Liberal Democrats: