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Counter-Terrorism Bill 2007-08

Type of Bill:
Government Bill
Sponsors:
Jacqui Smith
Home Office
Lord West of Spithead
Home Office

Progress of the Bill

Bill started in the House of Commons

  1. House of Commons
    1. 1st reading
    2. 2nd reading
    3. Committee stage
    4. Report stage
    5. 3rd reading
  2. House of Lords
    1. 1st reading
    2. 2nd reading
    3. Committee stage
    4. Report stage
    5. 3rd reading
  3. Consideration of Amendments
  4. Royal Assent

Last event

Act of Parliament

This Act is being prepared for publication.

Summary of the Bill

The Bill contains a number of provisions which the Government states are designed to enhance counter-terrorism powers. The main elements of the Bill are:

  • a provision to allow the pre-charge detention of terrorist suspects to be extended from 28 days to 42 days in certain circumstances
  • changes to enable the post-charge questioning of terrorist suspects and the drawing of adverse inferences from silence
  • imposing requirements on people convicted of terrorist offences to let authorities know where they are living and any changes to their circumstances
  • enhanced sentencing of offenders who commit offences with a terrorist connection
  • provision for inquests and inquiries to be heard without a jury.

The Bill would also confer further powers to gather and share information for counter-terrorism and other purposes, and amend the law relating to asset-freezing procedures.

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