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.

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.