§ Vera BairdTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to equalise the law of evidence on the admissibility in criminal trials of telephone taps carried out(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) abroad. [65477]
§ Vera BairdTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to liaise with ministers from the European Community on harmonizing laws on admitting the results of telephone taps in evidence in criminal trials. [65479]
§ Mr. Hilary BennThe Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters between Member States of the European Union, signed by Justice and Home Affairs Ministers in May 2000, contains a number of detailed provisions relating to interception of communications.
The United Kingdom is currently considering how best to implement these provisions as part of bringing the Convention into force in United Kingdom Law.
§ Vera BairdTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to make the products of United Kingdom telephone taps admissible in evidence in criminal trials. [65478]
§ Mr. Hilary BennSection 17 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) prohibits the evidentiary use of intercept product in legal proceedings in the United Kingdom.
This position. is kept under review.