HC Deb 08 May 2000 vol 349 c582
Mr. Charles Clarke

I beg to move amendment No. 21, in page 6, line 21, leave out from "question" to end of line 24 and insert—

  1. '(d) the situation is one in relation to which such further condition as may be prescribed by regulations mad by the Secretary of State are required to be satisfied before conduct may be treated as authorised by virtue of this subsection; and
  2. (e) the conditions so prescribed are satisfied in relation to that situation.'.
The intention of this subsection is to give effect to mutual legal assistance agreements. However, concerns were raised in Committee that in this part of the Bill there may be a loophole that would allow unwarranted interception to take place in the United Kingdom, perhaps to assist the authorities in another country, without the Secretary of State laying down the conditions in regulations.

Although there was no intention of using this subsection in that way, the amendment will ensure that it has no effect until the Secretary of State makes the regulations that we have always envisaged.

Amendment agreed to.

Back to
Forward to