HC Deb 03 February 1983 vol 36 cc400-1
2. Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the general issues relating to telephone tapping about which he is prepared to answer parliamentary questions, and to which he referred in his reply to the hon. Member for Keighley (Mr. Cryer), Official Report, 16 December, c. 467.

Mr. Whitelaw

I have already made it clear that the general issues on which I should be prepared to answer questions are those relating to the procedures and safeguards set out in the White Paper "The Interception of Communications in Great Britain" (Cmnd. 7873) and the role of the judicial monitor.

Mr. Meacher

There is widespread disquiet that bugging is carried out on a much wider scale than the authorities have ever permitted, particularly when it is done without ministerial warrant. On how many occasions in the past year have bugging devices been used at the discretion of the chief police officer alone? Will the Home Secretary ensure that police authorities are regularly given this information for their own areas so that at least there is some accountability over this exercise of police power?

Mr. Whitelaw

I do not accept the hon. Genileman's views on the widespread disquiet. I was asked about the interceptions that I authorised, and I have given the answer.

Mr. Stokes

Will my right hon. Friend ignore the extraordinary views of the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher), which have very little support in the country, and bear in mind that most people utterly trust his judgment, particularly in matters of crime and the safety of the state?

Mr. Whitelaw

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that assurance.

Mr. Christopher Price

How can we possibly discuss safeguards if we do not know what we are safeguarding? Surely it is reasonable for the House to be able to discuss the substantial question. Is it not absurd for hon. Members to be able to ask questions about safeguards when the Home Secretary is unwilling to tell us anything about the extent of this practice?

Mr. Whitelaw

I am simply following the practice of successive Governments in this matter, and it was debated in 1981, when the practice was fully approved.

Mr. Adley

Does my right hon. Friend receive thousands, hundreds or dozens of letters from members of the public, or occasional letters from Left-wing Labour Members?

Mr. Whitelaw

I do receive letters from hon. Members. I do not think that I receive many letters from members of the public. I shall look into the matter and give my hon. Friend the answer.

Mr. Cryer

The White Paper mentioned the number of warrants that had been issued to authorise telephone tapping. Will the Home Secretary assure the House that the number of warrants issued each year will be divulged to Parliament, possibly as a precursor to legislation, because the judge in the Malone case said that telephone tapping cries out for legislation? Will the right hon. Gentleman also assure the House that Members of Parliament are not subject to that intimidatory process?

Mr. Whitelaw

The position of Members of Parliament has been made abundantly clear by successive Prime Ministers. The hon. Gentleman said that the subject cries out for legislation. It can go on crying out, but it will not necessarily get an answer.

Mr. Cryer

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment as soon as possible.