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Straw sets out reform proposals Straw sets out reform proposals
(30 minutes later)
Justice Minister Jack Straw has set out further details of proposals to reform Britain's constitution. Justice Secretary Jack Straw has set out further details of proposals to reform Britain's constitution.
Plans include giving MPs the final say over going to war, changes to the way judges are appointed, and a review of the ban on protests near Parliament.Plans include giving MPs the final say over going to war, changes to the way judges are appointed, and a review of the ban on protests near Parliament.
The proposals, which came ahead of a speech by Gordon Brown on liberty, will now be put out to public consultation.The proposals, which came ahead of a speech by Gordon Brown on liberty, will now be put out to public consultation.
Data protection laws will be reviewed, he said, but a rise in Freedom of Information fees has been ruled out.Data protection laws will be reviewed, he said, but a rise in Freedom of Information fees has been ruled out.
In a Commons statement, Mr Straw set out the next steps for constitutional changes first announced in July by Gordon Brown within weeks of his arrival at Number 10.In a Commons statement, Mr Straw set out the next steps for constitutional changes first announced in July by Gordon Brown within weeks of his arrival at Number 10.
'New rules''New rules'
He launched a consultation paper which suggests that MPs should have the final say on sending troops to war, as they did in 2003.He launched a consultation paper which suggests that MPs should have the final say on sending troops to war, as they did in 2003.
KEY PROPOSALS Give MPs power to decide whether to wage warSetting up national security councilParliament to ratify international treatiesCommons committees for each English regionNew ministerial codePM no longer to choose Church of England bishopsElections moving from Thursday to weekendsMPs to hold hearings on key public appointmentsPeople to be consulted on possible 'bill of rights'Potential lowering of voting age to 16 Proposals at-a-glanceKEY PROPOSALS Give MPs power to decide whether to wage warSetting up national security councilParliament to ratify international treatiesCommons committees for each English regionNew ministerial codePM no longer to choose Church of England bishopsElections moving from Thursday to weekendsMPs to hold hearings on key public appointmentsPeople to be consulted on possible 'bill of rights'Potential lowering of voting age to 16 Proposals at-a-glance
"It suggests that this might be through a convention, through legislation or by a combination of both."It suggests that this might be through a convention, through legislation or by a combination of both.
"The consultation paper discusses the critical issues which any system would have to accommodate."The consultation paper discusses the critical issues which any system would have to accommodate.
"It is essential that any new arrangements would not damage morale, hinder us in meeting our international obligations, not inhibit operational flexibility and the need for secrecy and to act in emergencies.""It is essential that any new arrangements would not damage morale, hinder us in meeting our international obligations, not inhibit operational flexibility and the need for secrecy and to act in emergencies."
A second consultation paper contains plans to change the way judges are appointed and a third is a review of restrictions on protests near Parliament.A second consultation paper contains plans to change the way judges are appointed and a third is a review of restrictions on protests near Parliament.
Mr Straw said the government would also publish an annual national security strategy and pledged "new rules" to open up the work of the security services.Mr Straw said the government would also publish an annual national security strategy and pledged "new rules" to open up the work of the security services.
There would also be a "more open approach" to the Intelligence and Security Committee with Parliament having a clear role in appointing its members.There would also be a "more open approach" to the Intelligence and Security Committee with Parliament having a clear role in appointing its members.
National securityNational security
There will be no increase in charges for Freedom of Information requests, said Mr Straw.There will be no increase in charges for Freedom of Information requests, said Mr Straw.
He also announced a review of the 30 year rule, which bans the release of government documents for reasons of national security. He also announced a review of the 30-year rule, which bans the release of government documents for reasons of national security.
Mr Straw said there would be a wide-ranging review by the information commissioner and others of the "way we share and protect personal information".Mr Straw said there would be a wide-ranging review by the information commissioner and others of the "way we share and protect personal information".
He said the government would also scrap plans to restrict media reporting of coroners' court proceedings.He said the government would also scrap plans to restrict media reporting of coroners' court proceedings.
International treaties
The Justice Secretary also announced moves to ban payments by journalists to criminals and a review of powers of entry by police and public bodies.
He said there were also concerns about the misuse of personal data and new rules in the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill had raised concerns that they might "impede legitimate investigative journalism".
He also proposed to strengthen Parliament's role by putting the MPs' right to ratify international treaties on a statutory footing.
The system of appointing judges must be made "wholly devoid of party politics", transparent and accountable, said Mr Straw. Restrictions on protests in Parliament Square would be reviewed to see if "there is a better way both to uphold the right to protest and manage individual protests appropriately".
He also signalled changes in the governance of the Government's spending watchdog, the National Audit Office.
Rights and responsibilities
On House of Lords reform, he said all-party discussions were continuing, but there were no new proposals announced.On House of Lords reform, he said all-party discussions were continuing, but there were no new proposals announced.
"I hope and believe the House will agree the matters I've raised today go to the heart of exactly where power should lie in our country and how it should be exercised," Mr Straw told MPs.
Mr Brown is due to make a major speech later to the human rights group Liberty, on rights and responsibilities in modern Britain.Mr Brown is due to make a major speech later to the human rights group Liberty, on rights and responsibilities in modern Britain.
He is expected to reject Tory calls to scrap the Human Rights Act, which incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law.He is expected to reject Tory calls to scrap the Human Rights Act, which incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law.
Mr Brown has said he will publish a new ministerial code, with an adviser appointed to scrutinise ministerial conduct. In its Green Paper, the Governance of Britain, published in July, the government said a Bill of Rights and Duties would "build" on the Human Rights Act.
He has also suggested the possibility of lowering the voting age from 18 to 16.
'Rights of others'
In its Green Paper, the Governance of Britain, published in July, the government says: "A Bill of Rights and Duties could give people a clear idea of what we can expect from our public authorities, and from each other, and a framework for giving practical effect to our common values".
But it added: "If specifically British rights were to be added to those we already enjoy by virtue of the European Convention, we would need to be certain that their addition would be of real benefit to the country as a whole and not restrict the ability of the democratically elected government to decide upon the way resources are to be deployed in the national interest".
The Conservatives say Labour has "damaged" trust in politics during its 10 years in power and that, as Mr Brown had been chancellor since 1997, he could not distance himself from the situation.The Conservatives say Labour has "damaged" trust in politics during its 10 years in power and that, as Mr Brown had been chancellor since 1997, he could not distance himself from the situation.