Press Notice 16th December 2002

PRESS RELEASE

16th December 2002

All Party Internet Group to take oral evidence from the Home Office and Police as part of inquiry into the retention of and access to communications data for law enforcement purposes.
The All Party Internet Group (APIG) inquiry into Government access to communications data will take evidence from the Home Office and law enforcement agencies at a public hearing in the House of Commons on Wednesday morning.

MPs will question Chief Police officers from the National Criminal Intelligence Service on current communications data access and retention arrangements. MPs will then take evidence from officials at the Home Office examining the policy background to the current system.

This follows a successful hearing last week when industry raised several concerns about the cost and legal implications of law enforcement access to data.

Joint Chair of the All Party Internet Group, Richard Allan MP, said: "I welcome this opportunity to examine at first hand how Government policy is working on the ground with regard to communications data retention and access."

The MPs will also take evidence from the parliamentary lobby group EURIM and other communications experts.

Notes to Editors:

  1. The hearing takes place from 9.30 - 11.30 on Wednesday 18th December in Committee Room 8 at the House of Commons. It is a public hearing and all journalists are welcome.
  2. Written evidence that has been submitted to the inquiry is available online at: www.apig.org.uk
  3. For all press inquiries please contact Jamie Holyer on 020 7233 7322.