You are not logged in.

* *

You can make the text on this site bigger or smaller using your web browser's text size controls.

We respect your right to privacy. Read our privacy policy to find out more.

Liberal Democrat web site design by Prater Raines Ltd.

* *

Beith's Committee publishes government response to report on counter terrorism

1.45.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 26th Jun 2008

The House of Commons Justice Committee, chaired by Berwick MP Sir Alan Beith, today publishes the Government's response to its report on the Counter Terrorism Bill. In the report, the Committee expressed its concerns about the proposals relating to the coroners system which provided for "the Secretary of State to certify that a coroner's inquest may be held without a jury and to appoint a particular security cleared coroner in inquests which are expected to involve the consideration of material that should not be made public". The Counter Terrorism Bill has passed third reading in the House of Commons and is now awaiting consideration in the House of Lords.

Commenting on the Government's response, Sir Alan Beith said:

"There are still several key issues which will need to be resolved during consideration of the Bill by the House of Lords.

"For example, it needs to be absolutely clear that the Government cannot itself choose the coroner when a security cleared coroner is required: and there remain unresolved issues about whether the coroner could see sensitive material which had been used at the inquest if a coroner's verdict is subject to judicial review.

"It still seems unnecessary and unhelpful to proceed with these clauses in advance of the Coroners Bill and the outcome of the implementation process on the use of intercept evidence, especially when I note that the Government are considering a 'sunset clause' to guarantee that their proposals will be aligned with the results of these two processes."

The Committee's report on the Counter Terrorism Bill was published on 20 March 2008 as the Committee's Third report of Session 2007-08 as HC 405. All reports and press notices can be found on the Committee website at www.parliament.uk/justicecom

Committee Membership is as follows: Rt Hon Sir Alan Beith MP (Chairman), Mr David Howarth MP, Siân James MP, Daniel Kawczynski MP, Jessica Morden MP, Julie Morgan MP, Rt Hon Alun Michael MP, Robert Neill MP, Dr Nick Palmer MP, Linda Riordan MP, Virendra Sharma MP, Mr Andrew Turner, Mr Andrew Tyrie MP and Dr Alan Whitehead MP

Bookmark this story at: del.icio.us Digg Facebook LibDig reddit StumbleUpon
Print this news story.
Previous news story: Deluge of support for Post Office Card Account, says Beith (Wed 25th Jun 2008).
Next news story: Beith slams Government proposals to change National Park Authority (Fri 27th Jun 2008).

Related News Stories:

Mon 22nd Feb 2010:

Beith's Committee to hear from experts about hung parliaments.

Thu 14th Jan 2010:

Unsustainable prison building is not the answer, says Beith's Committee.

Mon 4th Jan 2010:

Minister's response on council funding "disappointing" says Beith.

Tue 10th Nov 2009:

Report on Acklington emphasises need for more resources, says Beith.

Wed 4th Nov 2009:

Beith backs Kelly report on MPs' expenses.

Tue 3rd Nov 2009:

Beith's Committee reports on Role of the Prison Officer.

Wed 21st Oct 2009:

Beith comments on Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill, and work of Justice Committee.

Thu 6th Aug 2009:

Beith's committee commends CPS but says more work still to do.

Wed 29th Jul 2009:

Beith's Committee calls for coherent approach to constitutional reform.

Mon 20th Jul 2009:

Beith's Committee slams Family Legal Aid Reform for Flawed Consultation, Weak Evidence and Inflexible Proposals.

Thu 9th Jul 2009:

Beith to question Prime Minister in Liaison Committee.

Thu 2nd Jul 2009:

Sentencing policy must not be driven by misconception of what public want, says Beith's Justice Committee.

Mon 15th Jun 2009:

Beith's committee welcomes Calman Commission's report on devolution in Scotland.

Fri 22nd May 2009:

Beith publishes full Telegraph questions and answers.

Thu 5th Feb 2009:

Beith's Committee's Report on Effective Sentencing to be debated.

Fri 19th Dec 2008:

Beith's committee reports on Crown dependencies and Icelandic Bank crisis.

Wed 17th Dec 2008:

Beith's Committee welcomes Family Courts announcement.

Tue 25th Nov 2008:

Post Office admit consultation failure in response to Beith.

Tue 18th Nov 2008:

Beith's Commons Committee to hear from Prison Officers about their work.

Wed 22nd Oct 2008:

Government's response to report shows failure to address fundamental problems with criminal sentencing policy and implementation, says Beith.

Mon 7th Jul 2008:

Sir Alan Beith MP challenges Prime Minister over constitutional renewal during Commons Liaison Committee.

Beith's Committee asking YOU how £5 billion cost of prisons and probation could be better spent.

Tue 24th Jun 2008:

"Attorney General's role should be split off, says Beith's Committee.

Tue 20th May 2008:

Ambulance response times give cause for concern, says Beith.

Thu 31st Jan 2008:

Beith's Committee to look into value for money of criminal justice system.

Wed 23rd Jan 2008:

Beith's Committee to challenge Minister over loss of Court cases on CD.

Wed 19th Dec 2007:

Report on housing costs shows severity of crisis, says Beith.

Fri 21st Sep 2007:

Beith's Commons Committee to question Straw on Prisoner Release and Parole Board Ruling.

Thu 22nd Mar 2007:

Beith's Committee findings backed by report on party funding .

Wed 28th Feb 2007:

Beith's Commons Committee to look at impact of devolution.

Wed 20th Dec 2006:

Party Funding: Beith's cross-party Commons Committee agrees radical reforms.

Tue 7th Nov 2006:

Beith's Committee disappointed at Government's response to Coroners System Reforms.

Tue 1st Aug 2006:

Beith's Committee accuses Government of "wasting golden opportunity" to reform "Victorian" death investigation system.

Tue 27th Jun 2006:

Beith supports Whizz-Kidz and Barnardo's report, "Don't push me around!".

Mon 12th Jun 2006:

"Open up Family Courts," says Beith's Committee.

Sun 1st May 2005:

SERIOUS RISK FOR ACCESS TO JUSTICE IN LEGAL AID PLANS, SAYS BEITH'S COMMITTEE .

Printed and hosted by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY.
Published and promoted by J. Tait for Rt Hon Sir Alan Beith MP and BCLD, all at 54 Bondgate Within, Alnwick NE66 1JD. This website is not funded from Parliamentary allowances.
The views expressed are those of the party, not of the service provider.