§ Mr. Gorstasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the statutory provisions which relate to offences for the unauthorised interception of telephone calls or mail, distinguishing any which apply only to employees of British Telecom or the Post Office; and if, for each offence, he will indicate the maximum penalty provided.
§ Mr. MayhewThe following provisions relate to the interception and disclosure of telecommunications messages, and after the relevant provisions of the British Telecommunications Bill become effective the references to an employee of the Post Office will apply to an employee of British Telecom.
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Statutory provisior To whom it applies Maximum penalty Section 45 Telegraph Act 1863 c. 112 any employee of a telegraph company £100 fine any employee of the Post Office Section 20 Telegraph Act 1868 c. 110 any employee of the Post Office 12 months' imprisonment or fine or both Section 11 Post Office (Protection) Act 1884 c. 76 a. forgery of telegram: any person a. summary: £1,000 fine b. improper disclosure of telegram: any employee of a telegraph company any employee of the Post Office indictment: 12 months' imprisonment or a fine or both b. summary: £1,000 fine indictment: 12 months' imprisonment or a fine or both Section 5(b)Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 c. 54 any person 3 months' imprisonment or £400 fine or both Section 13 Theft Act 1968 c. 60 any person 5 years' imprisonment or a fine or both The following provisions relate to the interception of postal packets. Section 56 Post Office Act 1953 c. 36 any person not an employee of the Post Office 6 months' imprisonment or £500 fine Section 58 Post Office Act 1953 c. 36 any employee of the Post Office 2 years' imprisonment or a fine or both