HC Deb 08 July 2002 vol 388 cc742-3W
Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce legislation relating to the interception of communications and the use of computers which use selected keywords and numbers to determine which communications are intercepted. [65156]

Mr. Blunkett

[holding answer 2 July 2002]The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 provides for the lawful interception of communications: there are no plans to amend this legislation.

Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what controls govern the interception from within the UK of communications originating from outside the UK. [65164]

Mr. Blunkett

[holding answer 2 July 2002]The interception of communications is governed by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. "External" communications, which are defined by that Act as those sent or received outside the British islands, may be intercepted under a warrant: in particular, section 8(4) of the Act provides for a warrant for the interception of external communications only. The conditions for obtaining such a warrant are set out in sections 5–8 and 15 of the Act.

Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what(a) Departments and (b) organisations are allowed to intercept electronic mail. [66634]

Mr. Blunkett

[holding answer 3 July 2002]A warrant for the interception of communications of any kind can only be issued personally by the Secretary of State to those persons specified in section 6(2) of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. Those persons are:

  • the Director-General of the Security Service;
  • the Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service;
  • the Director of Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ);
  • the Director-General of the National Criminal Intelligence Service
  • the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis;
  • the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (now the Police Service of Northern Ireland);
  • the Chief Constable of any police force maintained under or be virtue of section I of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967;
  • the Commissioners of Customs and Excise;
  • the Chief of Defence Intelligence; and
  • a person who, for the purposes of any international mutual assistance agreement, is the competent authority of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom.