§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the undertaking of activities by MI5 which require authorisation by warrant but which have been carried out without such authorisation in place. [138584]
§ Mr. BlunkettIt is the longstanding policy of successive governments neither to confirm nor deny allegations concerning the activities of the Security Service. We have maintained this policy irrespective of the accuracy or inaccuracy of the allegations made. The intelligence and security agencies each operate under a strict statutory framework. The agencies are overseen by Ministers and by independent Commissioners who hold, or have held, high judicial office. There is no question of the agencies, or anyone else, being above the law.