Terrorist cases have become increasingly complex. Challenges posed by computers and geography make it impossible to say that a decision to charge or release a suspect after 28 days will always be a reasonable choice.

Very few cases reach 28 days at present. However, the day someone is released without charge after 28 days and commits an atrocity on day 29 we would rue not having the 42 days facility.

The new law will extend the maximum period of detention without charge from 28 days to 42 only if the police ask for it and the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Home Secretary, Parliament and senior Judges all agree.

The extension will lapse after a month if not renewed. That was a sufficient safeguard for me, so I voted for it.

This Bill does not reduce our human rights, it protects the vast majority of us from harm. It does not put us in a unique position in civilised countries, either.

In Italy an American girl suspected of murdering her flatmate has already been held a year without charge, a power no-one in Britain is seeking.

The measure also has overwhelming public support from voters from all parties, something David Davies appears to have forgotten!

People in government have to make difficult decisions.

I hope we never need this power. Using phone-tap evidence and post-charge questioning we might manage without it.

But I am not sure of this, so I want the protection that this new law will give us.