HC Deb 26 February 1948 vol 447 c2096
11. Mr. William Shepherd

asked the President of the Board of Trade in how many cases enforcement officers of his Department have interrogated individuals as a consequence of telephone conversations which have been tapped or overheard.

The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Harold Wilson)

I have made the fullest inquiries into allegations that have recently appeared, and can find no evidence that there have been any such cases.

Mr. Shepherd

How does the right hon. Gentleman explain a recent visit of one of his enforcement officers to an office in Manchester, who stated that he had come as the result of a telephone conversation overheard on the previous day?

Mr. Wilson

I have attempted to find evidence of this allegation. If the hon. Gentleman will let me have particulars, I will look into them. I am certainly prepared to issue instructions that this should not take place.