Oral Answers to Questions — Home Department – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 4 Tachwedd 1965.
Mr Arthur Newens
, Epping
12:00,
4 Tachwedd 1965
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many warrants for the interception and opening of letters and telegrams by the police have been issued in each of the last three years.
Sir Frank Soskice
, Newport (Monmouthshire/Gwent)
It would not be in the public interest to give this information.
Mr Arthur Newens
, Epping
Could my right hon. and learned Friend give details of the circumstances in which such warrants are issued, and will he say if such warrants are issued for the opening of mail in the case of people engaged in legal political activities?
Sir Frank Soskice
, Newport (Monmouthshire/Gwent)
I would not care to add to my Answer. It would not be in the public interest to disclose this information. The practice is strictly in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee of Privy Councillors who made their report in September, 1957.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
