Smith in final bid for 42-day detention

Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, is to make one final attempt to avert a Commons defeat over the plans to lock up terrorist suspects for up to 42 days without trial.

But opponents of the Counter-Terrorism Bill were holding firm last night, arguing that her planned concessions would make little practical difference to the detention plans.

Ms Smith is suggesting that judges would be given stricter oversight of the circumstances under which the 42-day power would be invoked and MPs given a much earlier vote each time it is used. There would also be a more explicit definition of the circumstances under which the power is taken by the Home Secretary.

Government whips believe the moves could be enough to win back half of the 50 MPs threatening to vote against the Government on 11 June. Tony McNulty, the Policing minister, said: "We remain in consensus mode. This is too serious to leave to partisan politics." But Labour MP Andrew Dismore said the concessions ignored the "right to liberty".

* Gordon Brown faces a rebellion next week after 63 backbench MPs signed a motion expressing concern over reforms to the planning system.