§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in relation to communications data, how many Immigration Service officials he estimates will be authorised to seek access to communications data and how many times officials have sought access to such data from communications providers such as Internet service providers under the Data Protection Act 1998 in the last year; and if he will make a statement. [74483]
§ Beverley HughesThe Immigration Service has previously accessed communication data under the Data Protection Act 1998 through police Single Points of Contact. The Immigration Service did not retain a central register of the number of inquiries undertaken.
The Immigration Service is seeking to become a prescribed authority under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 Chapter II in order to access communications data. Once approved, any 745W immigration official investigating immigration related crime would be able to submit an application for communication data via a single point of contact.
§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the code of practice in relation to communications data; which public authorities will be able to have access to communications data; if he will make a statement on the support he has obtained from telecommunications companies for the concept of a voluntary code of practice to govern the access to communications data; whether he intends to use statutory powers to place access to communications data on a statutory footing; and if he will make a statement on the collective statement made by Data Protection Commissioners with regard to his proposals for the retention of communications data. [74584]
§ Mr. BlunkettCommunications data may be supplied voluntarily for specified purposes (e.g. investigation of crime) under the Data Protection Act 1998. A more tightly controlled regulatory regime for access to communications data will be provided for under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA). Chapter II of Part I of the Act explains the duties and responsibilities placed upon each party involved in the process, and creates a system of safeguards reflecting Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR). The overall regime will be subject to oversight by the Interception of Communications Commissioner.
The Chapter II provisions are subject to a statutory code of practice, a draft of which was published for public consultation during summer 2001. The code relates to the powers and duties conferred or imposed
Number of anti-social behaviour orders reported to the Home Office which have been issued as from 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2002 within Hertfordshire by local government authority Area From 01-Apr-99 to 31-May-001 From 01-Jun-00 to 31-Dec-00 From 01-Jan-01 to 31-Dec-01 From 01-Jan-02 to 31-Mar-02 Total Police Force Area/MCC2 Hertfordshire 1 1 7 — 9 Local Government Authority Cheshunt BC .. — 1 — 1 Stevenage BC .. — 4 — 4 Three Rivers DC .. — 2 — 2 Welwyn Hatfield DC .. 1 — — 1 Notes:
1 Total figure only available for Hertfordshire police force area within this period. Local Government Authority not known.
2 MCC—Magistrates' Courts Committee area.
.. Not available.