Counter-Terrorism Bill

My Lords, this has been an interesting, helpful and illuminating debate, and I thank all those who have participated in it. I also recognise that there is a great deal of good will in the House on this issue, for which I am very grateful, as I am for the constructive basis of the comments that have been made. I shall endeavour to cover the various comments and questions. If I fail to deal with any of them, I shall examine Hansard and communicate with those who participated in the debate with an explanation. I start by thanking the noble Baroness, Lady Neville-Jones, for her helpful contribution and expression of support. I have apologised for the lateness with which this legislation has been brought to the House but have explained that we judge it to be a matter of urgency. The point about lateness was also made by a number of other Peers, including the noble Baroness, Lady Miller, my noble friend Lord Harris and the noble Lord, Lord Thomas. I apologise to them as well for the lateness. I also appreciate, however, that the noble Baroness, Lady Neville-Jones, said that she regards this Bill as in some ways the least-worst option as the carrier for this particular legislation. My noble friend Lord Harris made a point about the affirmative order on the Landsbanki freezing and was right to point out that the full wording of the Act was not limited to terrorism but had wider coverage. That is also the case with this Bill.