§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many covert surveillance operations were authorised in each year from 1999 to date under(a) the Police Act 1997 and (b) the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. [32635]
§ Mr. Bob Ainsworth[holding answer 4 February 2002]I refer to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State on 24 January 2002,Official Report, column 1093W. In addition the Prison Service Agency has carried out seven intrusive surveillance operation since 22 March 2001. The intelligence services have carried out a number of intrusive surveillance operations or investigations: I do not intend to comment further on these.
No other records are centrally held of the number of non-intrusive covert surveillance operations authorised under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.