Member

The reason we have introduced this measure now is due to the nature of the disruption to the life sciences sector from disruptive protests. There is a very real risk to our national health resilience, and we must act now to increase the powers available to the police to deal with this activity. The independent review by the noble Lord, Lord Macdonald of River Glaven, KC, is familiar to the House and it will look at all aspects of protest legislation. It may or may not deliberate on this aspect of it but, ultimately, we have to act now for the reasons I have mentioned.