Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Bill (Business of the House)

Lord Watson of Wyre Forest Excerpts

Tuesday 15th July 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Tom Watson (West Bromwich East) (Lab)]

In the brief time that we have, I think that I should put it on the record that MPs had only 47 minutes to submit unstarred amendments to the Bill yesterday. Most reasonable people will conclude that Parliament has been insulted by the cavalier way in which a secret deal has been used to ensure that elected representatives are curtailed in their ability to consider, scrutinise, debate and amend the Bill. It is democratic banditry, resonant of a rogue state. The people who put this shady deal together should be ashamed.