Restriction on use of section 93 of the Police Act 1997

Part of Investigatory Powers Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 10:45 am on 12 April 2016.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Robert Buckland Robert Buckland The Solicitor-General 10:45, 12 April 2016

I thank the hon. and learned Gentleman for that intervention. While I will answer the specific question, I think it is important that I set out the fact that this provision is not the only means. What we are dealing with here is part 5 and the double lock and the enhanced safeguards. If any agency or authority fails to use new part 5 or PACE, for example, in other circumstances, they will be committing an offence under the Computer Misuse Act. Public authorities are no different from any other individual or body: if they are not complying with the existing legal framework by this or other means, they fall foul of the law themselves. I will endeavour to answer the other points raised about sanction but I urge the Committee to agree that the clause stand part of the Bill.