Oral Answers to Questions

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick Excerpts

Monday 12th October 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mrs May]

The hon. Gentleman will be well aware that each of the three reviews of the powers and legislation relating to interception of communications and access to communications data came up with a different answer in respect of the authorisation process for access to intercept material. David Anderson suggested that there should be a judicial authorisation, the Royal United Services Institute suggested that there could be a hybrid, and the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament suggested that the authorisation should remain with the Secretary of State. We have been considering the matter very carefully, and, as I have said, a draft Bill will be published in due course.

[Ms Margaret Ritchie (South Down) (SDLP)]

Will the Home Secretary tell us which is more important to the Government, national security or accountability, truth and justice for victims?

[Mrs May]

All those things are important, and I do not see that it is necessary to draw a distinction between them.