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Written question asked by Bob Spink (UK Independence Party) on Friday, 3 October 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 October 2008. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Wednesday, 15 October 2008 on behalf of the Home Office.

Surveillance

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases involving alleged abuse of intrusive surveillance powers by (a) local councils and (b) central Government-controlled bodies were investigated by the Investigatory Powers Tribunal in each year since it was established; and if she will make a statement.
Answer

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given by the then Minister of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. McNulty), to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) on 22 July 2008, Official Report, column 1374W. It is not the Investigatory Powers Tribunal's practice to publish detailed breakdowns by type or body of complaint, in order to preserve the confidence of people using it that their complaint will be handled confidentially. The Investigatory Powers Tribunal is independent of Government and subject to statutory rules which prevent it from disclosing information to an extent, or in a manner, that is contrary to the public interest. Only law enforcement and intelligences agencies and certain detention authorities can conduct intrusive surveillance under the Regulation of Investigatory Act 2000, but any valid complaint would be investigated by the Investigatory Powers Tribunal.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
480 c1281-2W;480 c1271-2W; 225189
Session
2007-08
Subjects
Local government Public bodies Surveillance
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk