Abu Qatada Debate

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Department: Home Office
Monday 30th April 2012

(12 years, 7 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Henley Portrait Lord Henley
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My Lords, the Home Office and other parts of the Government have been in regular contact with the court ever since the judgment back on 17 January. We are absolutely clear, and both precedent and legal advice are clear, that the deadline for the referral was within—I stress “within”—three months, by midnight on 16 April, and that the judgment comes into effect after three months; that is, after midnight on 16 April. That could hardly be clearer and the precedents could hardly be clearer.

Lord Cormack Portrait Lord Cormack
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My Lords, as this is a leap year, does not the Home Secretary have a day in hand?

Lord Henley Portrait Lord Henley
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My Lords, I am advised that leap years do not come into it.