Written question asked by Julian Huppert (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 11 February 2014, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 February 2014 (named day). It was answered by Hugh Robertson (Conservative) on Monday, 24 February 2014 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

USA

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made to the US administration about improving the operation of mutual legal assistance treaties for obtaining communications data.

Answer: The Government works closely, and has regular discussions, with the US Administration to help ensure that British law enforcement have the evidence they need to undertake investigations. This currently includes work, to improve the secure transfer of requests under the US-UK mutual legal assistance treaty (MLAT). We are clear that the US-UK MLAT process does not currently provide a reliable or sufficiently timely solution to the requirement for communications data in tackling crime and protecting the public.

Secondary information