HC Deb 04 April 1922 vol 152 cc2025-6
64. Mr. LYLE

asked the Postmaster-General whether, under any circumstance, and, if so, what, the police are allowed access to telephone conversations intercepted by listeners-in?

Mr. KELLAWAY

In ordinary circumstances the answer is in the negative and I am not aware of any recent cases of the kind. If an application were made by the responsible police authorities that, in the interests of justice, the interception of calls to and from a particular number was necessary, the application would be considered by me.

Mr. MALONE

When was the last application made?

Mr. KELLAWAY

I cannot say offhand. It was a long time ago—it was not made to me, at any rate.

65. Mr. LYLE

asked the Postmaster-General the number of officials in any normal telephone exchange engaged in

Sir R. HORNE

I was not aware of that fact.

Following is the statement promised:

the practice of listening-in with the object of checking calls; whether there is any reason for this practice; whether intercepted conversations are used by the Post Office and for what purpose; to whom access to them is permitted; how is the record ultimately destroyed; and whether any subscriber can guarantee privacy for what he wishes to be a private conversation?

Mr. KELLAWAY

As I stated in my answer to the Noble Lord the Member for Battersea South on the 21st of last month, listening-in is only resorted to at the request of, or by agreement with, the subscriber, when the subscriber requires evidence of the unauthorised use of his telephone. No staff is employed specially for this purpose.

Forward to