To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what technical consultancy was provided to her Department to help produce the draft Investigatory Powers Bill; and how much was spent from the public purse on such consultancy.

The Home Office makes use of technical expertise from within the civil service and externally to support preparation for legislation as well as implementation of current legislation. We also consult widely with academics, communication service providers and wider industry. It is not possible to determine how much of this work has been specifically devoted to preparation of the Investigatory Powers Bill.