Civil Contingencies Bill amendment clears the way for a UK department of homeland security

The second of three readings of the UK Civil Contingencies Bill took place in the House of Commons of Monday.

The session included an amendment to the bill which makes it a specific requirement of the bill that 'There shall be a Secretary of State whose sole responsibility is civil contingencies and the preservation of homeland security.'

Such a secretary of state would inevitably head up a department to support his/her work, clearing the way for a UK version of the US’s Department of Homeland Security.

The second reading of the Civil Contingencies Bill was passed unanimously and it will now proceed to its third reading in the Commons.

* Read the full list of amendments
* Read the latest draft of the Civil Contingencies Bill

•Date: 27th May 2004 •Region: UK •Type: Article •Topic: Terrorism
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