§ Lord Nugent of Guildfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
What guidance has been issued to the police on the investigation of offences under the Interception of Communications Act 1985.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Glenarthur)I have placed in the Library a copy of the guidance which my right honourable friend issued to the police on 8th April. This draws the attention of Chief Officers to the new offence, established by Section 1 of the Act, of improperly intercepting communications in the postal and public telecommunications systems and emphasises the importance of this new offence. It also reminds Chief Officers that they may seek the specialised technical assistance of British Telecom and the Post Office in investigating reported offences. Similar guidance is being issued to Scottish forces and to the RUC by my right honourable friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland.