INTRUSIVE SURVEILLANCE

Early day motion 412, tabled 6 November 1997 by Lord Beith (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 33 members.

That this House notes the Government's publication of the Draft Code of Practice on Intrusive Surveillance following the Police Act 1997; notes further that the code of practice would allow sensitive surveillance operations by the Police to go ahead, without the prior authorisation of judicial commissioners, when they are deemed urgent; notes further that there is no definition or explanation in the code of practice of when an operation can be considered urgent; further notes that those who are tenants will not have the same rights under the code as property owners; note that there are no proposals in the code of practice under which those who have inappropriately placed under surveillance will be notified of those operations; believes that the code of practice fails to address some of the concerns expressed by the Law Lords, the press and the public when the Police Act 1997 was progressing through Parliament; and calls on the Home Secretary to revise the draft code in the light of these concerns.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 30, Labour 3.