HC Deb 28 March 1968 vol 761 cc1702-4
15. Mr. Gardner

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to make illegal the invasion of privacy by individuals and agencies which use long range cameras and television equipment to penetrate private offices and homes.

Mr. Taverne

On my present information I am not persuaded that there is an urgent need for legislation but my right hon. Friend is keeping this problem under review.

Mr. Gardner

While appreciating the reason for that reply, and the reply to my Question No. 9, may I ask my hon. and learned Friend whether he is aware that it is possible, by the use of modern equipment, to keep a constant watch inside people's homes and offices, and even to read documents if necessary? Is it not time that we had a new law to define the areas of personal privacy?

Mr. Taverne

As I said before, this is a difficult question, because it depends on the kind of law that one wants. There could be a law to deal with privacy or a law to deal with certain kinds of equipment, and we would have to decide whether to pass criminal laws, or laws to give civil rights of the kind which my hon. Friend the Member for York (Mr. Alexander W. Lyon) put forward.

Mr. Hogg

Is it not a fact that a seminar was held recently at one of the Oxford colleges at the instance of the Lord Chancellor about the right of privacy and associated questions? In view of the widespread interest in this subject, when can we expect a Government announcement on its results?

Mr. Taverne

I cannot say when we can expect an announcement about it. It is a complicated question, which involves the freedom of the Press as well. At the moment there is no great evidence of abuse. For example, if one considers complaints to the Press Council about intrusions of privacy in this fashion, one sees that the complaints amount to 0.01 per cent. of the total complaints.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

Is my hon. Friend aware that there has been concern in this country for the last 30 years about this question, that the Americans have been developing a law of privacy for well over 60 years, that the Germans have a law about privacy, and that, as a result of the Nordic Conference, there is a real danger that we shall be left behind by all other civilised nations in promoting a law on this subject?

Mr. Taverne

I agree with my hon. Friend that this is an important question, and that one must keep it under review, but I cannot at the moment promise any legislation on it. I think that my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council has told my hon. Friend that he looks favourably on the idea of a Select Committee examining this problem.