§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to amend the law regarding telephone tapping; and if he will make a statement. [13198]
§ Mr. HowardWhile the Government keep the operation of the law regarding interception under review, I have no immediate plans for changes to the law in this area.
§ Mr. KilfoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the practice of intercepting private telephone calls; [13355]
(2) if he will make a statement on the involvement of newspapers in provoking the interception of private telephone calls. [13356]
§ Mr. HowardThe unauthorised intentional interception of a communication in the course of its transmission on a public telecommunications system is an offence under section 1 of the Interception of Communications Act 1985. In addition, the unauthorised intentional use of wireless telegraphy apparatus to obtain information as to the contents, sender or addressee of any message, and the disclosure of such information are offences under section 5 of The Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949. Soliciting or inciting a person to commit offences under the 1985 Act and the 1949 Act is itself a criminal offence. It is for the police to investigate allegations of unlawful interception.