Electronic Surveillance Devices

Oral Answers to Questions — Home Department – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 26 October 1989.

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Photo of Mr James Cran Mr James Cran , Beverley 12:00, 26 October 1989

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce measures to regulate the manufacture and sale of electronic surveillance devices.

Photo of Mr Timothy Renton Mr Timothy Renton , Mid Sussex

None, for the reasons given in my response to the debate on electronic surveillance devices initiated by my hon. Friend on 13 March.

Photo of Mr James Cran Mr James Cran , Beverley

Will my hon. Friend take this opportunity to condemn the Tandy Corporation stores group, which is currently marketing an electronic scanner device that facilitates eavesdropping on other people's telephone conversations? That has ramifications for security, the police and individuals in business. Does he agree that that is a gross invasion of privacy, and is he prepared to say what the Government will do about it?

Photo of Mr Timothy Renton Mr Timothy Renton , Mid Sussex

I am well aware of my hon. Friend's deep concern about the subject, but I am not aware of the equipment to which he refers. I ask him not to overlook the 1985 legislation, which dealt with the interception of the public telecommunications system. If the use of the electronic scanner involves such interception, criminal offences and penalties, as set up by the Interception of Communications Act 1985, will come into play.