HC Deb 25 June 1957 vol 572 c18W
83. Mr. Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases the telephone lines of Members of the House of Commons have been tapped during the past five years.

Mr. R. A. Butler

It has always been the practice, in the public interest, not to disclose either the number of warrants issued authorising the recording of telephone conversations or whether a warrant has been issued in any particular case or in relation to any particular class of persons. I should not be justified in making any departure from this accepted practice.