Conversations (Monitoring)

Oral Answers to Questions — Telephone Service – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 29 Hydref 1947.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Sir Waldron Smithers Sir Waldron Smithers , Orpington 12:00, 29 Hydref 1947

asked the Postmaster-General to what extent Monitoring or tapping telephone conversations is in practice.

Photo of Mr Wilfred Paling Mr Wilfred Paling , Wentworth

Officers of the Post Office are strictly forbidden to listen in to telephone conversations except in so far as may be necessary for the efficient performance of their duty. Long-distance telephone calls are monitored to ensure that the subscriber is obtaining reasonable quality of speech and that the trunk circuit can immediately be released when he has finished. In addition, a very small percentage of calls, selected at random, is observed to provide a measure of the quality of service but in most cases these calls are only observed to the stage at which effective conversation begins.

Photo of Sir Waldron Smithers Sir Waldron Smithers , Orpington

Would the right hon. Gentleman guarantee that the conditions which he has mentioned are strictly applied? Is he aware that there is widespread feeling that tapping and Monitoring goes on, which results in many visits by enforcement officers? Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that there is no tapping of calls on a political basis, and will he give strict instructions that there must not be any in the future?

Photo of Mr Wilfred Paling Mr Wilfred Paling , Wentworth

That assurance is contained in my answer.