Gareth Johnson MP takes part in Protection of Freedoms Bill debate

 

This week Gareth Johnson MP for Dartford took part in a Parliamentary debate on the Protection of Freedoms Bill and proposed amendments to it.  Gareth has taken an active role in the forming of this legislation, sitting on the Bill Committee for a number of weeks during the summer.

Gareth said “I welcome the protection of Freedoms Bill and in particular that it is the first Bill to have a Public Reading stage.  This allowed public comment on a Bill for the first time and the Government has received approximately 568 comments from 256 people, so it was welcomed by many.”  Evidence was also taken during committee stage from various interested groups and members of the public so this Bill has followed a very open process.

 

Gareth said “As much of the content of this Bill focuses on issues of personal liberty such as the DNA database, the storage of biometric data and the regulation of CCTV it is only appropriate that the public are able to have a say.  I believe that we must strike a balance between crime prevention and the storage of personal information of the innocent and that this Bill does exactly that. DNA analysis has been a fantastic breakthrough for crime detection, we have to ensure that it is used effectively and that the correct people are on the DNA database.”

 

Gareth also spoken on the issue of the regulation of CCTV in the debate, stating that this Bill does not intend to reduce the amount of CCTV simply to regulate public systems and ensure that its use retains public support.

 

For further information about the Protection of Freedoms Bill go to:

ENDS

For further information contact Gareth on 0207 219 7047 or at [email protected].  The full text of the debate and of Gareth’s interventions can be seen at: http://www.garethjohnsonmp.co.uk/dartford-mp-working-for-you