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LONDON, Tuesday (AFP) Britain's government cleared the first hurdle in its bid to bring in emergency anti-terror laws as MPs overwhelmingly backed the first reading of a bill proposing internment of suspects without trial.

A total of 458 members of the lower house of parliament voted in favour of a second reading of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Bill, with just five opposing - a majority for the government of 453.

The government outlined a wide-ranging package of proposed anti-terror legislation following the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.

As well as detention measures, the bill proposes squeezing terror groups' funding, tightening airport security and improving information-sharing between security authorities.

The government hopes to have the new laws in force by Christmas, but the bill first faces a second reading in the lower House of Commmons and a third in the upper House of Lords.

In a debate prior to the vote, Home Secretary David Blunkett faced stiff criticism from opposition politicians and some from his own ruling Labour party, who are particularly angered by the detention proposals and the speed with which the government is attempting to push the bill through parliament.

"Not since the panic and hysteria that overcame the British establishment in the aftermath of the French Revolution has this house seen such draconian legislation," said Labour MP Brian Sedgemore.

Conservative ex-cabinet minister John Gummer branded parts of the bill "objectionable and wholly wrong" while his former government colleague Douglas Hogg said the timetabling was "offensive, indeed a scandal".

Defending the measures, Blunkett said: "Circumstances and public opinion demanded urgent and appropriate action after the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon.

"I don't believe 10 weeks is a hurried period, given the necessity for putting in place substantial safeguards that may be required at any day and any time." He previously said detention without trial would be used against only a "handful" of people already identified by the security services as a potential risk.

Terror suspects could be held indefinitely if deportation was impossible because of the threat of facing possible torture or death if sent home.

Each case would be reviewed every six months and suspects could in any way appeal against any detention.

Citing a "public emergency," the British government applied last week for an opt-out clause from European human rights legislation to allow it to hold foreign terrorist suspects indefinitely without trial.

The derogation, or opt-out, is from article five of the European Convention on Human Rights outlawing detention without trial, but which can be suspended in times of "war or public emergency".

The measure is an emergency power used during World War II, the 1991 Gulf War and, notoriously, in Northern Ireland 30 years ago.

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