Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill

Lord Butler of Brockwell Excerpts

Tuesday 20th January 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord West of Spithead (Lab)]

My Lords, I strongly support the inclusion of a sunset clause, for the very good reasons that have been given. The only debate is, really, how long. Two years is possibly too short. We need to think about how quickly we will be able to gain information about how it is working, what the full implications are and so on. Equally, however, we do not want it to be too long. So how long is a piece of string? I would think perhaps three or four years. However, I believe absolutely that we should have a sunset clause.

[Lord Butler of Brockwell (CB)]

My Lords, while I agree with noble Lords who have argued that two years would otherwise be too long, one merit of the proposal is that the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Act 2014 has to be renewed, and there might be something to be said for considering these powers in the context of that, so that we get a comprehensive anti-terrorism Act at the same time. That might argue for a shorter sunset period.

[Lord West of Spithead]

I think that has to be done by the end of this year—which I believe is too short.