By Robert Hart, Parliamentary Reporter 
Phillips (left) and Smith (right)
A COMMITTEE of parliamentarians yesterday finally signed off on far-reaching legislation, which, if passed, could increase police power to fingerprint and photograph suspects without a court order.
The select committee of both houses of Parliament yesterday concluded deliberations after more than a year of in-depth and, at times, tense discussion.
The Fingerprints Amendment Bill,
piloted by National Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips, proposes to allow the police to fingerprint and photograph suspects in certain criminal investigations at the time of arrest.
Currently, a resident magistrate's permission is required for the fingerprinting of
suspects in criminal matters.
"I believe we have been able to arrive at a bill that is much improved and certainly commands unanimity," Dr. Phillips said during yesterday's final sitting of the joint select committee of Parliament that examined the bill.
During the lengthy deliberations of the past year, the Government, Opposition, and several interest groups had often been at odds over the amount of power that should be placed in the hands of the police, and the potential for abuses of citizens' rights.
After forceful arguments from Opposition members, a compromise was reached in which fingerprinting and photographing must be authorised by an officer "not below the rank of superintendent".
Yesterday Dr. Phillips said that, out of the dialogue, legislation had been developed which would "serve the interest of the country as a whole and in which all the stakeholders can feel satisfied."
Derrick Smith, Opposition spokesman on national security, said the Opposition was satisfied with the final outcome of the committee meetings. "It has really been a long time in reaching this stage," he said.
