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.

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.