Justice and Security Bill — Second Reading — 18 Dec 2012 at 18:17

The majority of MPs voted to allow material deemed national security-sensitive to be made available to a civil court and a special advocate but not parties to the case; to strengthen oversight of intelligence and security activities in Government; and to permit intercept evidence in closed proceedings in employment cases before tribunals.

The majority of MPs voted in favour of the Justice and Security Bill^[1][2] at its second reading, supporting the key principles of the Bill and allowing it to continue on its path to becoming law.

The Bill provided for:

• The introduction of a "closed material procedure" in the civil courts which involves making material deemed national security-sensitive available to the court and a special advocate but not parties to the case.
• An expansion of the statutory remit of the Intelligence and Security Committee to include:
• (i) a role in overseeing the wider Government intelligence community (beyond the three security and intelligence agencies (the "Agencies")) and
• (ii) retrospective oversight of the operational activities of the Agencies on matters of significant national interest.
• The Intelligence and Security Committee to have powers to require information from the Agencies subject only to a veto by the Secretary of State rather than, as previously, Agency heads.
• Extension of the remit of the Intelligence Services Commissioner at the direction of the Prime Minister.
• The use of intercept evidence in closed proceedings in employment cases before tribunals across the UK.

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• [1] Parliament's webpage on the Justice and Security Bill (now an Act)
• [2] Explanatory notes to the Justice and Security Bill

Debate in Parliament | Source |