§ 21. Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable on the efforts being undertaken to combat crime in North Yorkshire.
§ Mr. BrittanNo, Sir, since arrangements already exist for my right hon. Friend to be kept fully informed of the problems facing the police and the measures being taken to deal with them, both in North Yorkshire and elsewhere.
§ Mr. CryerWill the Minister tell the House under what authority Menwith Hill base near Harrogate is intercepting telephone calls under the control of the National Security Agency of the United 613 States? If that is so, as I understand, there is no authority for it, which means that criminal activities are taking place. What will the Minister do about it?
§ Mr. BrittanThat is another question. The people of North Yorkshire will be more concerned to hear that the number of serious offences recorded by the police in North Yorkshire fell by 6 per cent. between 1978 and 1979. With regard to the hon. Gentleman's particular question, I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said about these matters in reply to the right hon. Member for Brent, East (Mr. Freeson) on 17 July.
§ Mr. CryerOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In the light of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I reserve the right to raise the matter again on the Adjournment.