A proposed law to improve the safety of venues is a “tribute to victims” of the Manchester Arena bombing, a Home Office minister has said.
Speaking at the third reading of the bill on Tuesday, Lord Hanson of Flint told parliament the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill “will help save lives”.
Under Martyn’s Law, staff at all UK venues with a capacity of more than 200 people would undergo evacuation training, and sites with more than 800 people would need extra measures such as CCTV or security staff.
The law change was introduced after campaigning by Figen Murray, whose son Martyn Hett was among 22 people killed in the May 2017 bombing at an Ariana Grande concert.
Lord Hanson, a Labour frontbencher, made the comments as the legislation cleared the House of Lords and will now go back to the Commons for MPs to consider amendments.
During its passage through the upper chamber, the government saw off attempts to increase the capacity thresholds at which the venues would have to comply with measures in the bill.
Conservative peers raised concerns over the financial and administrative burdens placed on community venues, especially those run by volunteers.
Lord Hanson said: “This bill is a tribute to those victims and to the victims of other terrorist attacks. They will never ever be forgotten.”
He added: “Members will be aware, of course, of the campaigning work of Figen Murray and her team. We would not be here today without her and her team.
Conservative Lord Davies of Gower said: “The effectiveness of this legislation will be determined not by the words on the page alone but by how well it is put into practice.
“Adequate resources, training and advice must be provided to ensure that compliance is achievable.”
He added: “The bill represents a significant and necessary step in our ongoing efforts to protect the public from the scourge of terrorism.”
