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Sir Julian Amery : Will my hon. Friend give way?

Mr. Patten : No, if my right hon. Friend will forgive me. We have no statute of limitations in this country and have never had one. We have always taken the view, especially on serious offences, that there is no point at which a crime can be forgotten merely because it took place a long time ago--I say that with due respect to my hon. Friend the Member for Halesowen and Stourbridge (Sir J. Stokes). Hon. Members who do not agree with the Bill must agree that, in that case, we should have a general statute of limitations declaring that after 10, 20 or 30 years murder becomes out of date. We can forgive or forget, but decide never to prosecute after a certain time limit. It would be a bad principle if Parliament were to decide that at some stage a crime stops being a live crime and becomes a dead one ; which is not to under-estimate the serious difficulties that face us all when addressing this Bill.

The House is united in its abhorrence of these crimes. There is common ground between us and no one could suggest otherwise. It is now on the agenda and we cannot shirk our responsibilities. The war crimes inquiry found that there are people living in Britain against whom, in its opinion, there is sufficient evidence to justify prosecution. It would be wrong for us to ignore that fact. It is not for us in this place to say that we can take it on ourselves to forgive the wrong done to others. That is why I commend the Bill to the House.

Question put, That the Bill be read a Second time :--

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Column 973

The House divided : Ayes 273, Noes 60.

Division No. 136] [10.00 pm

AYES

Abbott, Ms Diane

Alexander, Richard

Alison, Rt Hon Michael

Allason, Rupert

Allen, Graham

Alton, David

Amess, David

Arbuthnot, James

Archer, Rt Hon Peter

Armstrong, Hilary

Arnold, Jacques (Gravesham)

Ashby, David

Atkins, Robert

Atkinson, David

Baker, Rt Hon K. (Mole Valley)

Baldry, Tony

Banks, Tony (Newham NW)

Barnes, Mrs Rosie (Greenwich)

Batiste, Spencer

Beaumont-Dark, Anthony

Beckett, Margaret

Beith, A. J.

Bendall, Vivian

Benn, Rt Hon Tony

Bermingham, Gerald

Bevan, David Gilroy

Boateng, Paul

Boswell, Tim

Bowden, A (Brighton K'pto'n)

Boyes, Roland

Boyson, Rt Hon Dr Sir Rhodes

Braine, Rt Hon Sir Bernard

Brandon-Bravo, Martin

Bray, Dr Jeremy

Brazier, Julian

Bright, Graham

Brooke, Rt Hon Peter

Brown, Michael (Brigg & Cl't's)

Bruce, Ian (Dorset South)

Burns, Simon

Butler, Chris

Butterfill, John

Caborn, Richard

Callaghan, Jim

Campbell-Savours, D. N.

Carlile, Alex (Mont'g)

Carrington, Matthew

Chalker, Rt Hon Mrs Lynda

Chapman, Sydney

Clark, Hon Alan (Plym'th S'n)

Clark, Dr David (S Shields)

Clark, Dr Michael (Rochford)

Clarke, Rt Hon K. (Rushcliffe)

Clarke, Tom (Monklands W)

Clelland, David

Cohen, Harry

Coleman, Donald

Conway, Derek

Cook, Robin (Livingston)

Coombs, Anthony (Wyre F'rest)

Coombs, Simon (Swindon)

Corbett, Robin

Cousins, Jim

Cox, Tom

Crowther, Stan

Cryer, Bob

Cunliffe, Lawrence

Curry, David

Darling, Alistair

Davies, Ron (Caerphilly)

Day, Stephen

Dixon, Don

Dobson, Frank

Douglas-Hamilton, Lord James

Dunwoody, Hon Mrs Gwyneth

Durant, Tony

Eastham, Ken

Eggar, Tim

Evans, John (St Helens N)

Fearn, Ronald

Field, Barry (Isle of Wight)

Field, Frank (Birkenhead)

Fields, Terry (L'pool B G'n)

Finsberg, Sir Geoffrey

Flynn, Paul

Fookes, Dame Janet

Foot, Rt Hon Michael

Forman, Nigel

Forsyth, Michael (Stirling)

Foster, Derek

Fox, Sir Marcus

Franks, Cecil

Fraser, John

Freeman, Roger

Fyfe, Maria

Galloway, George

Garel-Jones, Tristan

Glyn, Dr Sir Alan

Golding, Mrs Llin

Goodson-Wickes, Dr Charles

Gordon, Mildred

Gorst, John

Grant, Sir Anthony (CambsSW)

Grant, Bernie (Tottenham)

Greenway, John (Ryedale)

Grist, Ian

Gummer, Rt Hon John Selwyn

Hague, William

Hannam, John

Hardy, Peter

Hargreaves, Ken (Hyndburn)

Harman, Ms Harriet

Harris, David

Hattersley, Rt Hon Roy

Hawkins, Christopher

Hayes, Jerry

Haynes, Frank

Henderson, Doug

Hicks, Mrs Maureen (Wolv' NE)

Higgins, Rt Hon Terence L.

Hind, Kenneth

Hogg, N. (C'nauld & Kilsyth)

Holt, Richard

Howard, Rt Hon Michael

Howarth, George (Knowsley N)

Howell, Rt Hon D. (S'heath)

Howells, Dr. Kim (Pontypridd)

Hughes, John (Coventry NE)

Hughes, Robert G. (Harrow W)

Hughes, Simon (Southwark)

Hunt, David (Wirral W)

Ingram, Adam

Jack, Michael

Jackson, Robert

Janman, Tim

Janner, Greville

Jessel, Toby

Johnson Smith, Sir Geoffrey

Jones, Barry (Alyn & Deeside)

Jones, Gwilym (Cardiff N)

Jones, Ieuan (Ynys Mo n)

Jones, Robert B (Herts W)

Kellett-Bowman, Dame Elaine

King, Roger (B'ham N'thfield)

Kinnock, Rt Hon Neil

Knapman, Roger

Latham, Michael

Leadbitter, Ted

Lee, John (Pendle)

Leigh, Edward (Gainsbor'gh)

Leighton, Ron

Lennox-Boyd, Hon Mark

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