Coroners and Justice Bill

Amendment 187 187: After Clause 103, insert the following new Clause— "Independent Commissioner for Terrorist Suspects (1) The Secretary of State shall appoint a person to be known as the Independent Commissioner for Terrorist Suspects (the "Commissioner") and such appointment shall be subject to the approval of the Lord Chief Justice, and shall be on such terms as to length of service and remuneration as the Secretary of State shall determine. (2) The principal function of the Commissioner shall be to monitor the detention and treatment of terrorist suspects held under section 41 of and Schedule 8 to the Terrorism Act 2000 (c. 11) and in particular to give the judicial authority such independent assistance as it may require in deciding whether or not to extend the period of detention, and to perform such other related functions as the Secretary of State may determine. (3) In order to fulfil his functions under this section, the Commissioner shall be entitled to visit Paddington Green Police Station, and any other place of detention where terrorist suspects are held, so as to ensure that the questioning of suspects is being carried out diligently and expeditiously, and in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 8 and PACE Code H. (4) Such visits shall take place at the discretion of the Commissioner and may be unannounced. (5) The custody officer shall inform the Commissioner within 24 hours of a terrorist suspect being detained. (6) The police shall give the Commissioner such assistance as he may reasonably require so that he can fulfil his functions under this section. (7) The Commissioner shall be entitled to interview terrorist suspects with their consent, and may require such interviews to take place in the absence of the police and he may also attend interviews, conducted by the police. (8) The custody officer shall inform the Commissioner whenever the prosecution are to make an application for the extension of the period of detention and the Commissioner shall be entitled to be present at the hearing. (9) The Commissioner shall make an annual report to Parliament as to the carrying out of his functions under this section."