§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will set up a wide-ranging inquiry into all aspects of surveillance devices, including telephone tapping of public and private telephones, interception of letters, and filming of telephone callers in public telephone boxes.
(2) if he continues to be satisfied that telephone tapping, interception of communications and other surveillance devices are under effective ministerial control; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitelawThe White Paper "The Interception of Communications in Great Britain" (Cmnd. 7873) makes it clear that the use of interception is under strict Ministerial control. I see no need for an inquiry into these arrangements. I am reviewing the current guidelines on the use of surveillance equipment by the police.