HC Deb 21 February 2000 vol 344 cc831-2W
Mr. Heald

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints have been(a) made to and (b) upheld by the Tribunal set up under the Interception of Communications Act 1985 since its establishment. [111136]

Mr. Charles Clarke

The number of complaints investigated by the Tribunal are given in the table:

Year Number of complaints
1986–871 41
1987 32
1988 30
1989 49
1990 59
1991 58
1992 45
1993 41
1994 36
1995 62
Year Number of complaints
1996 33
1997 79
1998 75
1999 2—
1 April 1986 to April 1987
2 Not yet available

On no occasion has the Tribunal concluded that there had been a contravention of sections 2–5 of the Interception of Communications Act 1985.

Mr. Heald

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many interception warrants he authorised in 1999. [111142]

Mr. Charles Clarke

Figures for the number of warrants authorised in 1999 are not yet available. They will be published in the annual report of the Commissioner appointed under the Interception of Communications Act 1985 (currently Lord Nolan). A copy will be placed in the Library.

Mr. Heald

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many interception warrants were in force in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on 31 December 1999. [111132]

Mr. Charles Clarke

Figures for the number of warrants in force on 31 December 1999 are not yet available. They will be published in the annual report of the Commissioner appointed under the Interception of Communications Act 1985 (currently Lord Nolan). A copy will be placed in the Library.

Mr. Heald

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many modifications of interception warrants he authorised in(a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999. [111135]

Mr. Charles Clarke

Figures are available only for the modification of warrants issued for the purpose of the prevention and detection of serious crime. Until 1 August 1998, this power was used only for warrants issued on the grounds of national security or of safeguarding the economic well-being of the United Kingdom. From 1 August 1998 until 31 December 1998, there were 172 modifications of serious crime warrants. Figures for 1999 are not yet available.