§ Q18. Mr. Freesonasked the Prime Minister whether any Minister is responsible for, or empowered to authorise telephone tapping and postal and telex interception in the United Kingdom by foreign Governments or their agents; and, if so, which.
§ The Prime MinisterI cannot depart from the long-standing practice whereby neither my colleagues nor I are prepared to answer questions on the interception of communications and matters connected therewith. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary made a statement and laid a White Paper on 1 April, and I have no further information to give the House on this matter.