HL Deb 21 March 1997 vol 579 c130WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Police Service intercept (1) electronic e-mail communications via a domestic e-mail provider; (2) electronic e-mail communications via a non-domestic e-mail provider but passing through the United Kingdom; or (3) any parts of such communications; and, if so, what is the statutory or other legal authority for such interceptions.

Baroness Blatch

Communications in the course of their transmission on a public telecommunications network may be intercepted in pursuance of a warrant issued under the Interception of Communications Act 1985. This applies equally to voice and data transmission.

It would be an operational matter for the police whether, within the statutory provisions these techniques are used.