HC Deb 24 January 2002 vol 378 cc1092-3W
Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many intrusive surveillance operations were authorised by(a) chief officers of police and (b) customs officials in the United Kingdom in each year from 1995. [28326]

Mr. Denham

[holding answer 22 January 2002]: No records are centrally held of the number of intrusive surveillance operations authorised by chief officers of police or customs officials from I January 1995 to 22 February 1999. The number of intrusive surveillance operations authorised by the chief officers of police and customs officials since 22 February 1999 are as follows:

Chief officers of police Customs officials
22 February to 31 December 1999 1,432 346
1 January to 31 December 2000 1,609 523
1 January to 31 December 2001 458 38
1 January to 17 January 2002 20 7

Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what controls govern the monitoring of conversations by equipment which picks up vibrations in window panes. [28625]

Mr. Denham

[holding answer 22 January 2002]: The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000 provides a statutory basis for the authorisation of intrusive surveillance. RIPA also provides for independent oversight of such authorisations by the Office of the Surveillance Commissioner and the Intelligence Services Commissioner.

Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if use by the law enforcement agencies of technology which remotely takes a phone off the hook and thereby allows the monitoring of conversations close to that phone requires authorisation as if it were a telephone intercept; and whether the use by others of such technology constitutes a criminal offence. [28328]

Mr. Denham

[holding answer 22 January 2002]: The monitoring of conversations by law enforcement agencies which are not conducted on a public or private telecommunication system fall within the surveillance provisions of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000. RIPA provides a statutory basis for the authorisation of intrusive surveillance. RIPA also provides for independent oversight of such authorisations by the Office of the Surveillance Commissioner.