§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate has been made of the costs of intercepting internet traffic by the Government's new computer centre, GTAC; and how these costs will be distributed between internet service providers and the Government. [121022]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe Government have allocated £25 million to establish the Government Technical Assistance Centre. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the right hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Miss Widdecombe) on 6 April 2000,Official Report, column 596W.
Separately, Clause 12 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill establishes a power to require communication service providers to maintain a reasonable intercept capability. The particular nature of the requirements will be spelt out in detail in subordinate legislation subject to affirmative resolution. The requirements are likely to change as technology develops.
The Government are currently considering a detailed independent report on how interception might be achieved on the internet and how much it might cost. Existing policy on the allocation of cost is set out in that report which can be found at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/oicd/ripbill.htm.