§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many warrants authorising the interception of telecommunications were issued by the Home Secretary under the Interception of Communications Act 1985 in 1996. [4436]
§ Mr. StrawA total of 1,073 warrants authorising the interception of communications were issued by the then Home Secretary, the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe, in 1996. This figure is contained in the report of the Interception of Communications Commissioner which was published on 12 June. I regret that the answer given to my hon. Friend on 11 March,Official Report, column 148, gave an incorrect number.