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Straw fleshing out reform plans Straw sets out reform proposals
(40 minutes later)
Justice Minister Jack Straw is briefing MPs on government proposals to reform the constitution. Justice Minister Jack Straw has set out further details of proposals to reform Britain's constitution.
He is expected to give more detail on proposals to overhaul the House of Lords and give Parliament the power to decide whether the UK goes to war. 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.
In his Commons statement, Mr Straw is also likely to propose allowing MPs to scrutinise public appointments and choose bishops. The proposals, which came ahead of a speech by Gordon Brown on liberty, will now be put out to public consultation.
Gordon Brown first announced the plans shortly after he became prime minister. Data protection laws will be reviewed, he said, but a rise in Freedom of Information fees has been ruled out.
'Bill of rights' 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.
Mr Straw said the government had published three consultation documents on constitutional reform. 'New rules'
These set out proposals to give MPs the final say over war and international treaties, judicial appointments and easing restrictions on protest in Parliament Square. 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.
"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."
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.
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 security
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.
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.
On House of Lords reform, he said all-party discussions were continuing, but there were no new proposals announced.
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.
He has also suggested the possibility of lowering the voting age from 18 to 16.
'Rights of others''Rights of others'
Speaking at the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth, Jack Straw said the Human Rights Act was based on British values such as the right to a fair trial and free speech.
He said a British Bill of Rights and Responsibilities would "build on the Human Rights Act" but would "bring out more clearly the responsibility we owe to each other - above all to observe the law and to respect the 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".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".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".
Other proposals included in the Governance of Britain document included elections at weekends - rather than Thursdays - and giving Parliament the power to ratify international treaties and oversight of the security services. 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.
Citizens' rights
Mr Brown also said he was publishing a new ministerial code, with an adviser appointed to scrutinise ministerial conduct.
He suggested the possibility of lowering the voting age from 18 to 16.
The Tories said Labour had "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.
Conservative leader David Cameron wants to replace the Human Rights Act with a British Bill of Rights.
A future Conservative government would not withdraw from the European convention so people could still take their claims to the Strasbourg courts if they do not feel they have won justice in Britain.
But Mr Cameron wants a Bill of Rights specifically tailored to British customs and traditions, setting out citizens' rights.