Thank you for attending our mini-conference on Counter Terrorism Policy earlier this week. The Committee was particularly grateful that you stayed for the subsequent discussion.

I am writing to follow up your offer at the conference to meet with representatives of the special advocates to discuss some of the recommendations in our most recent report on the Bill.

In our report (paras 90-111) we recommend six amendments to the control orders legislation which are designed to ensure that in future control order hearings are much more likely to be fair in all cases. These recommendations are very largely based on the evidence that we have received from special advocates expressing their concerns about the fairness of the hearings under the current legislative framework.

I have tabled amendments to the Counter-Terrorism Bill to give effect to these recommendations. I am sure you would agree that Parliament would find it extremely useful when debating these amendments if it had available a report of your discussions with the special advocates about these proposed changes.

I therefore hope it will be possible for you to hold the meeting you offered in time to inform the debate at Report stage of the Bill. If you are able to hold the meeting I would be very grateful to be kept informed of what was discussed and any conclusions reached.

I am copying this letter to the special advocates who have given evidence to us in the past and the Special Advocate Support Office.