STOP AND SEARCH

Early day motion 616, tabled 14 January 2010 by Andrew Pelling (Independent). Signed by 20 members.

That this House welcomes the European Court of Human Right's ruling that stop and search without suspicion, as exercised under section 44 of the Terrorism Act, is illegal under Clause 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the right to a private and family life; notes the comments of Lord Carlile, the Government's independent reviewer of anti-terrorist legislation, that the stop and search powers under section 44 are `being used far too often on a random basis without any reasoning behind their use'; further notes that individuals should not feel shackled by laws designed to ensure their safety and liberty, but recognises that a power to stop and search which does not infringe the rights of the individual is necessary in the defence of the realm; and believes that, while the Government undertakes its appeal, stop and search powers should be used with more discretion.

Signatures by party: Labour 8, Liberal Democrat 7, Independent 2, Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.