The Government must ensure our civil liberties are not exploited by terrorists or their supporters, writes Sir Sydney Chapman, MP for Chipping Barnet

On this occasion, I want to turn our thoughts from local to international events.

After the appalling terrorist attacks in America on September 11 surely one of the defining days in our lives the Home Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer made statements in the Commons last week about new legislation to counter the threat from international terrorism.

Mr Blunkett will introduce an emergency Bill which will seek to steer a balance between respecting fundamental civil liberties and ensuring that they are not exploited by those who are enemies of democracy.

A central point he made was that terrorists use organised crime, drugs and people trafficking to finance their activities. The aim is to staunch the flow of that funding.

New legislation to obtain intelligence on targeting and tracking terrorists will be included and a separate extradition measure will ensure that these evil-doers cannot use immigration or asylum procedures to delay removal from our shores.

The Home Secretary will also introduce new laws to make incitement to religious hatred a criminal offence. He was at pains to convince MPs that this was not intended to stifle free speech or debate.

The Chancellor announced measures to cut off the funding of terrorism. He said that 35 suspect bank accounts had been frozen, immobilising £63million of funds and £180,000 had been seized from individuals and organisations wanted for terrorism.

Ministers will have my support for their declared objectives. September 11 has given an added dimension to our perception of terrorism and legislation which protects our realm and the safety and freedom of our citizens must be the first duty of government.

The only caveat I enter is that this impending legislation must be carefully scrutinised and not rushed onto the Statute Book. There are too many examples of over-hasty measures which have led to bad law from the Dangerous Dogs Act to gun laws.

It is essential that Parliament is not panicked into quick-fix solutions. Nevertheless, the balance between individual liberty and public security now needs to be tilted towards the latter at least temporarily.

One final comment upon the bombing of Afghanistan. Some may question the legality of this action. I have no doubt that UN Security Council Resolution 1373 gives the necessary mandate and the civilised world is justified in pursuing murderous terrorists.

October 23, 2001 13:55