Mr. Gummer:
In column 1510, the word "either" refers to both those issuesthat cannot be gainsaid. However, even if there were a slip of the tongue and that was not quite what the Prime Minister meant, if he respected the seriousness of the issue he would be here to listen to our debate and defend the way in which he had expressed himself. The problem is that on previous occasions the Prime Minister has appeared not to tell exactly the truth in certain circumstances.
Hon. Members:
Withdraw!
Mr. Deputy Speaker:
Order. I think that there is a more felicitous way in which the right hon. Gentleman could try to make his point.
10 Mar 2005 : Column 1812
Mr. Gummer:
I regret my infelicity and I withdraw any indication that the Prime Minister meant to say something that was untrue. I shall use more felicitous phrasing: there are many people both outside and inside the House who have misunderstood what the Prime Minister said, including the Home Secretary.
Mr. Charles Clarke:
On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I am grateful to you both for clarification and for seeking a withdrawal of the comment by the right hon. Member for Suffolk, Coastal (Mr. Gummer). I hope you agree that it is important to the House that he withdraw unequivocally the suggestion that the Prime Minister made that interpretation.
Mr. Deputy Speaker:
No one should accuse any right hon. or hon. Member of untruthfulness or deceit. The right hon. Member for Suffolk, Coastal (Mr. Gummer) has withdrawn any suggestion that he was making such an allegation. What is at issue is a matter of judgmentthere is no question but that it is a matter of contention, and is not something on which the Chair can rule.
Mr. Gummer:
When a misunderstanding of such importance has occurredindeed, it has clearly arisen on both sides of the Houseit must be put right. That becomes more necessary the graver the issue. That is why I want to answer a comment made by the right hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes). Everybody in the House is trying to do a very difficult thing and protect the nation against terrorism while at the same time upholding human rights so that terrorism does not grow among individuals who have legitimate grounds for believing that their human rights may have been invaded.
It is legitimate for us to disagree about how to deal with these things, and it is therefore proper for the Government to make sure that if their judgments turn out to be wrong, we have a ready opportunity to put that right. That is why the sunset clause is so important. It gives the House an honourable opportunity: if what is done for all sorts of reasons in haste and with many misunderstandingsI am not making any allegationsturns out to be less than the best, we will assuredly and without peradventure have a chance to get it right. People who accuse Conservative Members of being anything other than staunchly opposed to terrorism are wrong. We are so strongly opposed to terrorism that we want the best legislation that we can get, we want to make it work and we want a Prime Minister who can be trusted not to be misunderstood by his own Home Secretary.
Mr. Garnier:
This debate would have been better informed if we had had longer to debate the serious issues before us
Mr. Deputy Speaker:
Order. I can only say to the hon. and learned Gentleman that I am sorry that the debate had to end on a climactic note.
It being one hour after commencement of proceedings, Mr. Deputy Speaker put the Question already proposed from the Chair, pursuant to Order [9 March].
The House divided: Ayes 298, Noes 216.
10 Mar 2005 : Column 1813
Division No. 135
[2.20 am
AYES
Adams, Irene
(Paisley N)
Ainger, Nick
Ainsworth, Bob
(Cov'try NE)
Alexander, Douglas
Allen, Graham
Anderson, rh Donald
(Swansea E)
Anderson, Janet
(Rossendale & Darwen)
Armstrong, rh Ms Hilary
Atherton, Ms Candy
Bailey, Adrian
Baird, Vera
Banks, Tony
Barron, rh Kevin
Battle, rh John
Bayley, Hugh
Beard, Nigel
Beckett, rh Margaret
Bell, Sir Stuart
Benn, rh Hilary
Benton, Joe
(Bootle)
Berry, Roger
Blackman, Liz
Blair, rh Tony
Blears, Ms Hazel
Borrow, David
Bradley, Peter
(The Wrekin)
Bradshaw, Ben
Brennan, Kevin
Brown, rh Nicholas
(Newcastle E Wallsend)
Browne, Desmond
Bryant, Chris
Buck, Ms Karen
Burgon, Colin
Burnham, Andy
Byers, rh Stephen
Byrne, Liam
(B'ham Hodge H)
Cairns, David
Campbell, Alan
(Tynemouth)
Campbell, Mrs Anne
(C'bridge)
Campbell, Ronnie
(Blyth V)
Caplin, Ivor
Casale, Roger
Caton, Martin
Challen, Colin
Chapman, Ben
(Wirral S)
Chaytor, David
Clark, Mrs Helen
(Peterborough)
Clark, Dr. Lynda
(Edinburgh Pentlands)
Clark, Paul
(Gillingham)
Clarke, rh Charles
(Norwich S)
Clarke, rh Tom
(Coatbridge & Chryston)
Clelland, David
Clwyd, Ann
(Cynon V)
Coaker, Vernon
Coffey, Ms Ann
Colman, Tony
Cook, Frank
(Stockton N)
Cranston, Ross
Cruddas, Jon
Cryer, Ann
(Keighley)
Cryer, John
(Hornchurch)
Cummings, John
Cunningham, Jim
(Coventry S)
Cunningham, Tony
(Workington)
Curtis-Thomas, Mrs Claire
Darling, rh Alistair
Davey, Valerie
(Bristol W)
David, Wayne
Davidson, Ian
Davies, rh Denzil
(Llanelli)
Davies, Geraint
(Croydon C)
Dawson, Hilton
Dean, Mrs Janet
Denham, rh John
Dhanda, Parmjit
Dismore, Andrew
Dobbin, Jim
(Heywood)
Dowd, Jim
(Lewisham W)
Drew, David
(Stroud)
Eagle, Angela
(Wallasey)
Eagle, Maria
(L'pool Garston)
Edwards, Huw
Efford, Clive
Ellman, Mrs Louise
Ennis, Jeff
(Barnsley E)
Farrelly, Paul
Fitzpatrick, Jim
Flint, Caroline
Foster, rh Derek
Foster, Michael
(Worcester)
Foster, Michael Jabez
(Hastings & Rye)
Foulkes, rh George
Francis, Dr. Hywel
Gardiner, Barry
Gilroy, Linda
Goggins, Paul
Griffiths, Jane
(Reading E)
Griffiths, Nigel
(Edinburgh S)
Griffiths, Win
(Bridgend)
Hain, rh Peter
Hall, Mike
(Weaver Vale)
Hall, Patrick
(Bedford)
Hamilton, David
(Midlothian)
Hamilton, Fabian
(Leeds NE)
Harman, rh Ms Harriet
Harris, Tom
(Glasgow Cathcart)
Havard, Dai
(MerthyrTydfil & Rhymney)
Healey, John
Henderson, Doug
(Newcastle N)
Henderson, Ivan
(Harwich)
Hendrick, Mark
Hepburn, Stephen
Heppell, John
Hesford, Stephen
Hewitt, rh Ms Patricia
Heyes, David
Hill, rh Keith
(Streatham)
Hood, Jimmy
(Clydesdale)
Hope, Phil
(Corby)
Howarth, rh Alan
(Newport E)
Howells, Dr. Kim
Hoyle, Lindsay
Humble, Mrs Joan
Hurst, Alan
(Braintree)
Hutton, rh John
Iddon, Dr. Brian
Illsley, Eric
Irranca-Davies, Huw
Jackson, Helen
(Hillsborough)
Jackson, Robert
(Wantage)
Jenkins, Brian
Johnson, rh Alan
(Hull W)
Johnson, Miss Melanie
(Welwyn Hatfield)
Jones, Helen
(Warrington N)
Jones, Kevan
(N Durham)
Jones, Martyn
(Clwyd S)
Jowell, rh Tessa
Joyce, Eric
(Falkirk W)
Kaufman, rh Sir Gerald
Keeble, Ms Sally
Keen, Alan
(Feltham)
Keen, Ann
(Brentford)
Kemp, Fraser
Kennedy, rh Jane
(Wavertree)
Khabra, Piara S.
Kidney, David
King, Andy
(Rugby)
Knight, Jim
(S Dorset)
Kumar, Dr. Ashok
Ladyman, Dr. Stephen
Lammy, David
Laxton, Bob
(Derby N)
Lazarowicz, Mark
Lepper, David
Leslie, Christopher
Levitt, Tom
(High Peak)
Lewis, Ivan
(Bury S)
Liddell, rh Mrs Helen
Linton, Martin
Lloyd, Tony
(Manchester C)
Love, Andrew
Lucas, Ian
(Wrexham)
Luke, Iain
(Dundee E)
McAvoy, rh Thomas
McCabe, Stephen
McCafferty, Chris
McCartney, rh Ian
McDonagh, Siobhain
MacDonald, Calum
MacDougall, John
McFall, rh John
McGuire, Mrs Anne
McIsaac, Shona
McKechin, Ann
McKenna, Rosemary
Mackinlay, Andrew
McNulty, Tony
MacShane, Denis
Mactaggart, Fiona
McWalter, Tony
Mahmood, Khalid
Mallaber, Judy
Mann, John
(Bassetlaw)
Marris, Rob
(Wolverh'ton SW)
Marsden, Gordon
(Blackpool S)
Marshall, David
(Glasgow Shettleston)
Martlew, Eric
Meale, Alan
(Mansfield)
Merron, Gillian
Michael, rh Alun
Miliband, David
Miller, Andrew
Moffatt, Laura
Mole, Chris
Moonie, Dr. Lewis
Morgan, Julie
Morley, Elliot
Morris, rh Estelle
Mountford, Kali
Mudie, George
Mullin, Chris
Munn, Ms Meg
Murphy, Denis
(Wansbeck)
Murphy, Jim
(Eastwood)
Murphy, rh Paul
(Torfaen)
Naysmith, Dr. Doug
Norris, Dan
(Wansdyke)
O'Brien, Mike
(N Warks)
O'Hara, Edward
Olner, Bill
O'Neill, Martin
Organ, Diana
Osborne, Sandra
(Ayr)
Owen, Albert
Palmer, Dr. Nick
Pearson, Ian
Perham, Linda
Picking, Anne
Pickthall, Colin
Pike, Peter
(Burnley)
Plaskitt, James
Pollard, Kerry
Pond, Chris
(Gravesham)
Pope, Greg
(Hyndburn)
Pound, Stephen
Prentice, Ms Bridget
(Lewisham E)
Prescott, rh John
Primarolo, rh Dawn
Prosser, Gwyn
Purchase, Ken
Quin, rh Joyce
Quinn, Lawrie
Rammell, Bill
Raynsford, rh Nick
Reed, Andy
(Loughborough)
Reid, rh Dr. John
(Hamilton N & Bellshill)
Robertson, John
(Glasgow Anniesland)
Robinson, Geoffrey
(Coventry NW)
Rooney, Terry
Ross, Ernie
(Dundee W)
Roy, Frank
(Motherwell)
Ruane, Chris
Ruddock, Joan
Russell, Ms Christine
(City of Chester)
Ryan, Joan
(Enfield N)
Salter, Martin
Savidge, Malcolm
Sawford, Phil
Sheerman, Barry
Sheridan, Jim
Simon, Siôn
(B'ham Erdington)
Singh, Marsha
Smith, rh Andrew
(Oxford E)
Smith, Angela
(Basildon)
Smith, Geraldine
(Morecambe & Lunesdale)
Smith, rh Jacqui
(Redditch)
Smith, John
(Glamorgan)
Soley, Clive
Southworth, Helen
Spellar, rh John
Starkey, Dr. Phyllis
Stewart, David
(Inverness E & Lochaber)
Stewart, Ian
(Eccles)
Stoate, Dr. Howard
Strang, rh Dr. Gavin
Straw, rh Jack
Stuart, Ms Gisela
Sutcliffe, Gerry
Thomas, Gareth
(Clwyd W)
Thomas, Gareth
(Harrow W)
Timms, Stephen
Tipping, Paddy
Todd, Mark
(S Derbyshire)
Touhig, Don
(Islwyn)
Trickett, Jon
Turner, Dennis
(Wolverh'ton SE)
Turner, Neil
(Wigan)
Twigg, Derek
(Halton)
Twigg, Stephen
(Enfield)
Tynan, Bill
(Hamilton S)
Vaz, Keith
(Leicester E)
Ward, Claire
Watson, Tom
Watts, David
White, Brian
Whitehead, Dr. Alan
Wicks, Malcolm
Williams, rh Alan
(Swansea W)
Williams, Betty
(Conwy)
Wills, Michael
Winterton, Ms Rosie
(Doncaster C)
Woodward, Shaun
Woolas, Phil
Worthington, Tony
Wright, Anthony D.
(Gt Yarmouth)
Wright, David
(Telford)
Wright, Iain
(Hartlepool)
Wright, Tony
(Cannock)
Tellers for the Ayes:
Margaret Moran and
James Purnell
NOES
Abbott, Ms Diane
Allan, Richard
Amess, David
Ancram, rh Michael
Arbuthnot, rh James
Atkinson, David
(Bour'mth E)
Bacon, Richard
Baker, Norman
Baldry, Tony
Barker, Gregory
Barnes, Harry
Baron, John
(Billericay)
Barrett, John
Beggs, Roy
(E Antrim)
Beith, rh A. J.
Bellingham, Henry
Bercow, John
Beresford, Sir Paul
Blunt, Crispin
Boswell, Tim
Bottomley, Peter
(Worthing W)
Bottomley, rh Virginia
(SW Surrey)
Brady, Graham
Brake, Tom
(Carshalton)
Brazier, Julian
Breed, Colin
Brooke, Mrs Annette L.
Browning, Mrs Angela
Bruce, Malcolm
Burnett, John
Burns, Simon
Burstow, Paul
Burt, Alistair
Butterfill, Sir John
Cable, Dr. Vincent
Cameron, David
Campbell, rh Sir Menzies
(NE Fife)
Carmichael, Alistair
Cash, William
Chapman, Sir Sydney
(Chipping Barnet)
Chidgey, David
Chope, Christopher
Clappison, James
Clarke, rh Kenneth
(Rushcliffe)
Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey
Collins, Tim
Conway, Derek
Corbyn, Jeremy
Cormack, Sir Patrick
Cotter, Brian
Cousins, Jim
Curry, rh David
Dalyell, Tam
Davey, Edward
(Kingston)
Davies, Quentin
(Grantham & Stamford)
Davis, rh David
(Haltemprice & Howden)
Djanogly, Jonathan
Dobson, rh Frank
Dorrell, rh Stephen
Doughty, Sue
Duncan, Alan
(Rutland)
Duncan, Peter
(Galloway)
Evans, Nigel
Fabricant, Michael
Fallon, Michael
Field, Mark
(Cities of London & Westminster)
Fisher, Mark
Flight, Howard
Flook, Adrian
Follett, Barbara
Forth, rh Eric
Foster, Don
(Bath)
Francois, Mark
Gale, Roger
(N Thanet)
Garnier, Edward
George, Andrew
(St. Ives)
Gibb, Nick
(Bognor Regis)
Gidley, Sandra
Gill, Parmjit Singh
Goodman, Paul
Gray, James
(N Wilts)
Grayling, Chris
Green, Damian
(Ashford)
Green, Matthew
(Ludlow)
Greenway, John
Grieve, Dominic
Gummer, rh John
Hammond, Philip
Harris, Dr. Evan
(Oxford W & Abingdon)
Harvey, Nick
Hawkins, Nick
Hayes, John
(S Holland)
Heald, Oliver
Heath, David
Hendry, Charles
Hoban, Mark
(Fareham)
Hoey, Kate
(Vauxhall)
Hogg, rh Douglas
Holmes, Paul
Hopkins, Kelvin
Horam, John
(Orpington)
Howard, rh Michael
Howarth, Gerald
(Aldershot)
Hughes, Simon
(Southwark N)
Jack, rh Michael
Jackson, Glenda
(Hampstead & Highgate)
Jenkin, Bernard
Johnson, Boris
(Henley)
Jones, Lynne
(Selly Oak)
Jones, Nigel
(Cheltenham)
Keetch, Paul
Kennedy, rh Charles
(Ross Skye & Inverness)
Key, Robert
(Salisbury)
Kilfoyle, Peter
Kirkbride, Miss Julie
Kirkwood, Sir Archy
Knight, rh Greg
(E Yorkshire)
Laing, Mrs Eleanor
Lait, Mrs Jacqui
Lamb, Norman
Lansley, Andrew
Laws, David
(Yeovil)
Leigh, Edward
Letwin, rh Oliver
Lewis, Dr. Julian
(New Forest E)
Liddell-Grainger, Ian
Lidington, David
Lilley, rh Peter
Loughton, Tim
Luff, Peter
(M-Worcs)
McDonnell, John
McIntosh, Miss Anne
Mackay, rh Andrew
Maclean, rh David
McLoughlin, Patrick
McNamara, Kevin
Malins, Humfrey
Marshall-Andrews, Robert
Maude, rh Francis
May, rh Mrs Theresa
Meacher, rh Michael
Mercer, Patrick
Mitchell, Andrew
(Sutton Coldfield)
Moore, Michael
Moss, Malcolm
Murrison, Dr. Andrew
Norman, Archie
Oaten, Mark
(Winchester)
O'Brien, Stephen
(Eddisbury)
Öpik, Lembit
Osborne, George
(Tatton)
Ottaway, Richard
Paterson, Owen
Pickles, Eric
Portillo, rh Michael
Prisk, Mark
(Hertford)
Pugh, Dr. John
Randall, John
Redwood, rh John
Reid, Alan
(Argyll & Bute)
Rendel, David
Robathan, Andrew
Robertson, Angus
(Moray)
Robertson, Hugh
(Faversham & M-Kent)
Robertson, Laurence
(Tewk'b'ry)
Rosindell, Andrew
Ruffley, David
Sanders, Adrian
Sedgemore, Brian
Selous, Andrew
Shephard, rh Mrs Gillian
Short, rh Clare
Simmonds, Mark
Simpson, Alan
(Nottingham S)
Simpson, Keith
(M-Norfolk)
Skinner, Dennis
Smith, Sir Robert
(W Ab'd'ns & Kincardine)
Spelman, Mrs Caroline
Spicer, Sir Michael
Spink, Bob
(Castle Point)
Spring, Richard
Stanley, rh Sir John
Streeter, Gary
Stunell, Andrew
Swayne, Desmond
Swire, Hugo
(E Devon)
Syms, Robert
Tapsell, Sir Peter
Taylor, David
(NW Leics)
Taylor, John
(Solihull)
Taylor, Matthew
(Truro)
Taylor, Sir Teddy
Teather, Sarah
Thurso, John
Tonge, Dr. Jenny
Tredinnick, David
Turner, Andrew
(Isle of Wight)
Tyler, Paul
(N Cornwall)
Tyrie, Andrew
Walter, Robert
Wareing, Robert N.
Watkinson, Angela
Webb, Steve
(Northavon)
Weir, Michael
Whittingdale, John
Wiggin, Bill
Wilkinson, John
Willetts, David
Williams, Roger
(Brecon)
Willis, Phil
Wilshire, David
Winterton, Ann
(Congleton)
Winterton, Sir Nicholas
(Macclesfield)
Wood, Mike
(Batley)
Yeo, Tim
(S Suffolk)
Younger-Ross, Richard
Tellers for the Noes:
Bob Russell and
Mr. Peter Atkinson
Question accordingly agreed to.
10 Mar 2005 : Column 1816
Mr. Howard:
On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. The Home Secretary invited us to read the passage from Hansard that led to the previous exchanges. This is what the Prime Minister said[Interruption.]