text_body: --- DIVISION TITLE ---
  
  Counter Terrorism Bill - Specially Appointed Coroners - rejected
  
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  The majority No voters rejected an amendment[1] to the [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmbills/100/08100.i-v.html#top Counter-Terrorism Bill]. This was a proposal that the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales or the nominated senior judge, rather than the Secretary of State, should appoint "special coroners". However, it was defeated.
  
  The Counter-Terrorism Bill under discussion contained a provision for "special coroners" to be appointed to run inquests where the secretary of state had decided that a jury would not be used. 
  
  The proposal that a member of the judiciary ought make the appointment was put forward by Cambridge MP David Howarth who spoke[2] in the debate on the matter. The fact this vote raises question of separation of political and judicial authority in this country was also made during the debate.[3]
  
  The main aims of the Counter-Terrorism Bill were to[4]:
  
  * Allow the Secretary of State to order a [http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Death/WhatToDoAfterADeath/DG_066713 coroner's inquest] to take place without a jury
  * Allow longer terrorism sentences
  * Change some of the rules around intercept evidence
  * Allow the assets of convicted terrorists to be seized
  * Allow greater use of DNA samples and enable the police to take the fingerprints or DNA from those subject to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Control_order control orders]
  
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  * [1] [http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debate/?id=2008-06-10b.274.1 David Howarth MP], 10 June 2008, House of Commons
  * [2] [http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debate/?id=2008-06-10b.252.0 David Howarth MP], 10 June 2008, House of Commons
  * [3] [http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debate/?id=2008-06-10b.263.2 House of Commons debate], 10 June 2008
  * [4] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Terrorism_Act_2008 Wikipedia entry], Retrieved on 2010-02-07
  
  
  
  
  
  
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  