Terrorism: Control Order Powers

My honourable friend the Minister for Policing, Security and Community Safety (Tony McNulty) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. Section 14(1) of the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005 (the 2005 Act) requires the Secretary of State to report to Parliament as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of every relevant three-month period on the exercise of the control order powers during that period. During the period 11 June to 10 September 2006, nine orders were made with the permission of the court under Section 3(l)(a) of the 2005 Act—onein respect of a British citizen on 19 June 2006, one in respect of a foreign national on 31 July 2006, six in respect of foreign nationals on 1 August 2006 and one in respect of a British citizen on 5 September 2006. The Secretary of State has also renewed one control order in accordance with Section 2(4)(b) of the 2005 Act on 30 August 2006. There are 15 control orders currently in force, six of which are in respect of British citizens. During the period two requests to modify a control order obligation were agreed, and seven requests to modify a control order obligation were refused. A right of appeal exists in Section 10(3) of the 2005 Act against a decision by the Secretary of State not to modify an obligation contained in a control order.