§ Mr. Derek FosterTo ask the Prime Minister when the annual report of the Commissioner appointed under section 8(1) of the Interception of Communications Act 1985 will be laid before the House; and if he will make a statement. [52371]
§ The Prime MinisterA copy of Lord Nolan's annual report for 1997 has been laid before the House today in accordance with section 8(7) of the Interception of Communications Act 1985. The confidential annexe to the report has been excluded from that copy in accordance with section 8(8) of the 1985 Act in accordance with the Commissioner's recommendations. I am grateful to the Commissioner for his work in reviewing the issue of warrants during the year. I note in particular the
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Loyalist Republican Unknown Security Forces Total 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 April Deaths 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 4 Shooting Incidents 7 9 5 8 5 1 2 1 19 19 Bombing Incidents 3 2 0 2 0 1 0 0 3 5 Casualties as a result of paramilitary attacks Shootings 4 3 1 4 0 0 0 0 5 7 Assaults 5 6 6 1 0 0 0 0 11 7 May Deaths 3 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 4 1 Shooting Incidents 6 5 2 2 3 5 0 0 11 12 Bombing Incidents 2 2 1 7 0 0 0 0 3 9 Casualties as a result of paramilitary attacks Shootings 2 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 3 5 Assaults 7 8 4 3 0 0 0 0 11 11 June Deaths 2 0 2 1 0 0 0 1 4 2 Shooting Incidents 8 4 5 10 4 3 2 2 19 19 Bombing Incidents 3 0 2 5 0 0 0 0 5 5 Commissioner's view that interception of both postal communications and telecommunications remains an effective and an essential operation in the interests of national security and the economic well-being of the United Kingdom, and the prevention and detection of serious crime.