Terrorism (Northern Ireland) Bill

I have a great deal of sympathy with many of the points that Democratic Unionist party colleagues have made. However, the amendments would change the date on which the legislation ultimately falls to 1 August 2012—six-and-a-half years from now rather than the maximum two-and-a-half years for which the Bill provides. My hon. Friend the Member for Montgomeryshire (Lembit Öpik) said in Committee that we are considering special provisions to deal with terrorism in Northern Ireland that do not extend to the rest of the United Kingdom. It is right that the Government should keep the matter under review and return to the House in a short time with primary legislation. We do not believe that the Government should be able to retain such powers on the statute book simply by virtue of an Aye vote on a statutory instrument. The whole House should be able to return to considering and scrutinising terrorism legislation regularly. That is why we believe that the short timetable for which the Bill provides is right. The Government should be required to come back to the House with primary legislation if they want to retain the provisions beyond the beginning of August 2008 at the latest.