UK Parliament / Open data

Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Bill

I am not going to give way until I finish this point, and then I will give way to the noble Lord. We believe that it is for the Home Secretary to make the decision, and for this decision to be subsequently reviewed, because the Home Secretary is a politician who is answerable to Parliament. I appreciate that some will knock the role of politicians but I would remind noble Lords of the very powerful speech made by the noble Lord, Lord Reid, on Second Reading, where he reminded us that most of our freedoms are the result of politicians and their acts, and not of the courts. The Home Secretary, as a politician answerable to Parliament, will make that decision and that decision will then be reviewed by the courts in due course. It is that very simple decision that we want to make. Should it be the Home Secretary or should it be the courts? We believe that it should be the Home Secretary. I will now give way to the noble Lord.
Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
732 c594-5 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
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