§ 40. Mr. Gallacherasked the Home Secretary on how many occasions he has issued a warrant authorising the police to listen-in to telephone conversations to and from the headquarters of the Communist party?
§ Mr. LloydFor reasons which my right hon. Friend has already explained, it would be contrary to the public interest to give information as to the occasions on which a warrant has or has not been issued.
§ Mr. GallacherIn view of the fact that it is the legal and recognised custom, when a warrant is served for a search of premises, that the warrant is exhibited to the person who is affected, should it not also be necessary, if a warrant is issued authorising the police to listen-in on anyone's telephone, that that person or party should be made acquainted with the fact? Is that the legal position, or is it not?
§ Mr. LloydI do not think that such a procedure would conduce to the efficiency of the arrangement.
§ Mr. GallacherI am not concerned with the efficiency of the arrangement, but with the legal position.