§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made by his Department in introducing new guidelines for the use of bugging surveillance techniques by the law enforcement agencies of the state; and when he expects these new guidelines to be operative.
§ Mr. HurdI assume that the hon. Member is referring to the review set up by my noble Friend the Viscount Whitelaw, then Home Secretary, in February 1982. This review of the guidance given to chief officers on the use of equipment in police surveillance operations is continuing. Its results will be made known to the Houe as soon as it has been completed. The work is being taken forward as quickly as practicable, but I cannot say when it will be completed.