Asked by: Lord Paddick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 1 February (HL Deb, col 1721), when they will write to members who took part in the debate on the Investigatory Powers (Code of Practice) Regulations 2018 about whether the regulations impose an additional aspect to the technical capability notice.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
I apologise for the delay in writing to Noble Lords who took part in the debates on the investigatory powers regulations on 1 February. The delay in this letter being sent was the result of an administrative error. The letter was sent on 15 May and a copy has been placed in the House Library.
Asked by: Lord Paddick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the composition of the Technical Advisory Panel established under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
It is for the Investigatory Powers Commissioner, Lord Justice Fulford, to establish the Technology Advisory Panel (TAP), decide upon its composition, and appoint its members. Lord Justice Fulford took over responsibility for the oversight of investigatory powers by public authorities on 1st September 2017 and will appoint members of the TAP in due course.
Lord Justice Fulford has said he would be happy to discuss the establishment of the TAP, the wider set-up of his office, and any other matters relating to his duties with interested Members of Parliament or Lords.
Asked by: Lord Paddick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, following the UK's exit from the EU, EU citizens will be questioned about the purpose of their visit at the UK border; and whether they intend to increase resources at border posts as a result.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Government’s White Paper, “The United Kingdom’s exit from and new partnership with European Union” published on 2 February makes clear that Brexit must mean control of the number of people who come to Britain from Europe. We will continue to attract the brightest and the best to work or study in Britain but there must be control.
We are working across Government to identify and develop options to shape our future immigration system. As part of that it is important that we understand the impacts of different options on different sectors of the economy and the labour market.
Parliament will have an important role to play in this and we will ensure businesses and communities have the opportunity to contribute their views.
The Prime Minister has also underlined that it would not be right for the Government to give a running commentary on negotiations. It is about developing our own British model so we will not make decisions until we are ready. We will work hard to get the right deal as we conduct our exit negotiations.
Asked by: Lord Paddick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many times the Technical Advisory Board has met since the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 received Royal Assent.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Technical Advisory Board is a non-departmental public body which advises the Secretary of State on cost and technical grounds if a notice given under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 is referred by a telecommunications operator for review.
The Board was formed under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000; provisions in the Investigatory Powers Act will ensure the continued existence of this important safeguard. These provisions are yet to be commenced. Details of the extant Board may be found on its gov.uk website.
Asked by: Lord Paddick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will publish the membership of the Technical Advisory Panel as provided for by the Investigatory Powers Act 2016; and how many times the Panel has met.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Investigatory Powers Act 2016 requires that the Investigatory Powers Commissioner appoint a Technology Advisory Panel to provide advice on technological changes and developments impacting on the exercise of investigatory powers for which the Commissioner provides oversight.
Such advice will be provided to the Commissioner, the Secretary of State and the Scottish Ministers, and will ensure that, in these times of rapid technological changes, their advice will assist those considering whether applications to exercise these powers are necessary and proportionate in light of such changes, and to ensure they are exercised whilst minimising interference with privacy. An announcement on the appointment of the Commissioner will be made shortly, and once this appointment is made, it will be for the Commissioner to establish the Panel.
Asked by: Lord Paddick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will publish the latest cost assessment of (1) set-up costs, and (2) annual running costs, for internet connection records.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
Part 4 of the Investigatory Powers Act, which concerns the retention of communications data including internet connection records, came into force on 30 December 2016. The Government are in the process of working with telecommunications operators to implement these provisions.
As is currently the case under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, a statutory code of practice will provide guidance to all relevant public authorities on the acquisition of communications data, including internet connection records, under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. Drafts of codes of practice were published during the passage of the Act. These codes will be published for public consultation and will then be subject to Parliamentary approval using the affirmative procedure.
The anticipated costs of implementing internet connection records were outlined in impact assessments published during the passage of the Investigatory Powers Act. These are available at www.gov.uk.
Asked by: Lord Paddick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidance and training they have issued to law enforcement agencies to enable them to make use of internet connection records.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
Part 4 of the Investigatory Powers Act, which concerns the retention of communications data including internet connection records, came into force on 30 December 2016. The Government are in the process of working with telecommunications operators to implement these provisions.
As is currently the case under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, a statutory code of practice will provide guidance to all relevant public authorities on the acquisition of communications data, including internet connection records, under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. Drafts of codes of practice were published during the passage of the Act. These codes will be published for public consultation and will then be subject to Parliamentary approval using the affirmative procedure.
The anticipated costs of implementing internet connection records were outlined in impact assessments published during the passage of the Investigatory Powers Act. These are available at www.gov.uk.
Asked by: Lord Paddick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they plan to implement the provisions regarding the creation and collection of internet connection records as provided for by the Investigatory Powers Act 2016.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
Part 4 of the Investigatory Powers Act, which concerns the retention of communications data including internet connection records, came into force on 30 December 2016. The Government are in the process of working with telecommunications operators to implement these provisions.
As is currently the case under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, a statutory code of practice will provide guidance to all relevant public authorities on the acquisition of communications data, including internet connection records, under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. Drafts of codes of practice were published during the passage of the Act. These codes will be published for public consultation and will then be subject to Parliamentary approval using the affirmative procedure.
The anticipated costs of implementing internet connection records were outlined in impact assessments published during the passage of the Investigatory Powers Act. These are available at www.gov.uk.
Asked by: Lord Paddick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect to bring section 67 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 into force.
Answered by Lord Keen of Elie
The Government is committed to commencing section 67 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 and will do so as soon as possible.
Asked by: Lord Paddick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact on the independence of the Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration of the Home Secretary deciding when to publish his reports.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICI) reports are laid before Parliament in compliance with the UK Borders Act 2007.