HC Deb 05 March 1999 vol 326 c915W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Special Branch is empowered to disconnect telephone lines connected to organisations for the purpose of preventing possible subversion; whether explicit authorisation is required from him for such action; and if he will make a statement. [74855]

Mr. Straw

Special Branches are not empowered to disconnect telephone lines. The remit under which all Special Branches in England and Wales, as well as Scotland, operate is described in the Guidelines on Special Branch Work in Great Britain (published jointly by the Home Office and Scottish Office Home & Health Department, July 1994).

Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the remit of the Special Branch extends to monitoring pressure groups involved in campaigns against genetically modified food. [74856]

Mr. Straw

Pressure groups operating within the law are not the subject of monitoring by Special Branch or by any other law enforcement agencies. Special Branch may undertake inquiries either to meet the local policing needs in their force area or to assist the Security Service in carrying out its statutory duty under the Security Service Act 1989 for the protection of national security.

The remit under which all Special Branches in England and Wales, as well as Scotland, operate is described in the Guidelines on Special Branch Work in Great Britain (published jointly by the Home Office and Scottish Office Home & Health Department, July 1994).