As many of you will know recently the Yeovil Labour Party held its policy forum to discuss the Crime, Justice, Citizenship and Equalities draft final year policy document. At the meeting the following proposed amendments to the document were recommended by the members present. The amendments were as follows.

1. 42 Days Detention and Civil Liberties : Amendment Proposed by CLPD and LRC.
Delete, page 11, line 31, "We are also bringing forward new proposals on pre-charge detention, so that in exceptional circumstances, and with strong parliamentary and judiciary safeguards, there can be a temporary and non-renewable extension of the limit for up to 14 days so that the police can continue to hold terrorist suspects while pursuing their investigations in complex cases".

Supporting Argument :
A further curtailment of civil liberties by extending detention without charge could undermine the flow of information about possible terrorism. There is a growing concern that the muslim community is being targeted as a religious group because of its opposition to US military action in the Middle East.

2. ID Cards : Amendment Proposed by CLPD.

Delete, page 11 line 42 to Page 12 line 14 inclusive

Supporting Argument :
This removes the commitment to ID cards. The National Identity Register would be the world's biggest biometric database, holding 52 pieces of information on every adult who remains in the UK for longer than 3 months. As well as being a waste of public money, the scheme will cost us personally, financially and in terms of our privacy and relationship with the state. Opposition will continue to grow as more people understand these costs and doubt the accuracy and security of such a huge government database. They will change our society and the way we live, forever.

3. Fox Hunting : Amendment Proposed by Helen Weeks.

Add, page 7 line 43.

New Paragraph to Insert:
We will ensure that the ban on hunting with hounds is properly enforced by inserting a new clause of "cause" or "permit" to the Hunting Act 2004 (this can be through a Hunting ( Amendment) Bill, and that offences under the Act be made notifiable and proper penalties for offenders are introduced.

4. Monitoring of Privatised Contracts in the Police Force : Amendment Proposed by Bill Byrd.

Add, page 11 line 4, insert AFTER "By improviding working practices, cutting red tape..."
"closely monitoring and reviewing privatised contracts throughout the police force and encouraging the public service ethic".