§ Mr. HANNON(by Private Notice) asked the Postmaster-General what precautions are taken to ensure that no wireless amateurs possessing certain types of sets can "listen in" to messages passing 23 between London and New York; if any complaints have been received of tapping telephone lines between London and Montreal, India and South Africa; and what action is being taken by His Majesty's Government to safeguard the secrecy of international telephonic communications?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir Kingsley Wood)So far as concerns the British terminals of the various overseas radiotelephone services operated from London, special equipment has been provided to ensure privacy of conversation against wireless listeners. Complementary apparatus is already fitted at the corresponding overseas terminals in practically all cases, and every effort is being made by the Administrations concerned in the few outstanding cases to provide the necessary apparatus at their end at the earliest possible moment. No complaints have been received by the Post Office of tapping of telephone calls between London and any of the overseas countries with which telephone connection can be obtained from London.
§ Mr. HANNONIs the research department of the Post Office proceeding with any inquiries into devices which would prevent all possibility of leakages of the kind indicated in my question?
§ Sir K. WOODYes, Sir. We have that matter constantly before us and endeavour to do all that we can.
§ Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLEHave any reports been received of leakages in connection with the incidents mentioned in the question?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir. I saw an account in one of the newspapers, and, I believe, there is a gentleman who claims that he has some apparatus of this kind, which I am arranging to have inspected.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLECan the right hon. Gentleman give any indication as to whether this gentleman has been successful in tapping any messages?
§ Sir K. WOODI have only seen the newspaper report.