HL Deb 03 May 2001 vol 625 cc111-2WA
The Earl of Northesk

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How they respond to the proposal from Roger Gaspar, deputy director general of the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS), that the police should have access to Internet traffic stored for a number of years for investigation purposes. [HL1924]

Lord Bassam of Brighton

The police already have powers, through a judicially-authorised production order for example, to access communications data, including Internet data. A new statutory basis for acquiring communications data will be introduced when the provisions contained in Part I Chapter II of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 are commenced this year.

With regard to the question of the National Criminal Intelligence Service proposals for retention of communications data, I refer the noble Lord to the reply I gave him on 18 December 2000, Official Report, WA 59.