Posted by emark on Sun 18 May 08, 3:49 PM to emark's blog.
[Repost from 2007-Oct-21]
Committee Stage; Opposition to Government Evidence
The Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill is at the committee stage, where MPs on the Committee listen to evidence, and can propose amendments (more info at http://www.number10.gov.uk/output/page29.asp). Anyone can write to committee members, but it's much more effective for people in their constituencies to write. David Howarth is on the committee. Full list (from http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm20060...
Burrowes, Mr David (Enfield, Southgate) Coaker, Mr Vernon (Gedling) Cohen, Harry (Leyton and Wanstead) Eagle, Maria (Liverpool, Garston) Garnier, Mr Edward (Harborough) Hanson, Mr David (Delyn) Heath, Mr David (Somerton and Frome) Hollobone, Mr Philip (Kettering) Howarth, David (Cambridge) Hurd, Mr Nick (Ruislip-Northwood) Keeble, Ms Sally (Northampton North) Khan, Mr Sadiq (Tooting) Michael, Alun (Cardiff South and Penarth) Sharma, Mr Virenda (Ealing Southall) Walker, Mr Charles (Broxbourne) Waltho, Lynda (Stourbridge) Wilson, Philip (Sedgefield)
So for anyone opposed to the law but not sure what to do, the best hope now appears to be for people in these constituences to write asap expressing opposition and/or proposing suitable amendments. (Another possible suggestion for people not in these constituencies is to write to their MP, asking them to pass it onto the committee.) E.g.:
* An exemption for material involving consenting participants (e.g., see http://www.backlash-uk.org.uk/amend.html ). Similarly, Liberty have proposed a variation on that in their briefing (http://www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk/pdfs/poli... "Liberty considers that an additional defence should also be available where a person believes that those involved in the material they possess consented to their participation." * Removing all references to "appears to" (the phrase that MP Harry Cohen had concerns with). (Anymore?)
The committee stage takes place during October and November (http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm20060... - last meeting 29 November. Transcripts are available at http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmpb... (there have been good criticisms even from the MPs themselves, though who knows if this will lead to anything).
Also: Over 40 academics voice concerns (http://www.backlash-uk.org.uk/acad_statement.htm... and condemn the Government's recent Rapid Evidence Assessment (http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/research2.... Well that's something.
