HC Deb 27 March 1958 vol 585 cc574-5
25. Mr. Grimond

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the instructions as to the interception of mail and telephone conversations which have been issued following upon the Privy Councillors' Report.

Mr. R. A. Butler

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister informed the House on 31st October last, the Government have accepted the report of the Committee of Privy Councillors, and the necessary steps have been taken to give effect to the recommendations on procedure summarised in paragraphs 159–163 of the report.

Mr. Grimond

May I ask the Home Secretary if any further consideration has been given to reservations made by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Smethwick (Mr. Gordon Walker), which I think have great support in this House, and whether he would tell us if it has been possible to incorporate any reservations about the use of this power in the case of crime in the instructions he has given?

Mr. Butler

No, Sir. In general, we are following the recommendations of what I may call the majority of Privy Councillors. It does not mean that we would not pay attention to the considered views of the right hon. Member for Smethwick (Mr. Gordon Walker) in our interpretation of the manner in which we carry out the powers, but the general rules we are following conform to the majority recommendations.