§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if there is a formal procedure requiring Home Office approval before private telephones can be tapped; and for what reasons and on whose authority private telephones would be tapped.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe principles and procedures involved are set out in the 1957 report of the Birkett Committee (Cmnd. 283) and continue to be strictly adhered to. This means that applications for interception are considered only in connection with serious crime or threats to the security of the State and require my personal authorisation or, in 483W Scotland, that of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.