"Wilson Doctrine" Parliamentary Questions and Early Day Motions
The Government is still dithering and stalling over the "Wilson Doctrine".
Several Members of Parliament have tabled Questions,
the first if which has been "answered":
Written answers Tuesday, 31 January 2006Prime Minister
Wilson Doctrine
Paul Farrelly (Newcastle-under-Lyme, Lab):
To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish those sections of the report from the Interception of Communications Commissioner which are relevant to the Wilson Doctrine; if he will put any proposed changes to the doctrine to a vote on the floor of the House; and if he will make a statement.
Tony Blair (Prime Minister):
I have nothing further to add to my written ministerial statement, 15 December 2005, Official Report, column 173WS, and my answers at Prime Minister's questions on 18 and 25 January.
On the 19th January the Prime Minsister again failed to clarify matters:
Written Answers 19th January 2006PRIME MINISTER
Telephone TappingMr. Evans: To ask the Prime Minister (1) what decision has been made on requests for the tapping of hon. Members' telephone lines; [43854]
(2) what representations he has received (a) in favour of and (b) against tapping right hon. and hon. Members' telephone lines; [43855]
(3) what recent discussions he has had on the tapping of hon. Members' telephone lines; [43856]
(4) if he will make a statement on the Wilson doctrine on tapping hon. Members' telephones. [44186]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Members to the written ministerial statement I made on 15 December 2005, Official Report, column 173WS.
There are other Questions waiting to be answered:
387
Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his Written Statement of 15th December 2005, Official Report, column 173WS, on the Wilson Doctrine, when he expects the Government to have finished considering the advice from the Interception of Communications Commissioner on the possible implications for the Wilson Doctrine of the regulatory framework for the interception of communications.
(49256)445
Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak):To ask the Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on the Wilson doctrine on tapping hon. Members' telephones.
(44186)78
Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many requests were received by his Department for the electronic interception of (a) telephone calls, (b) emails and (c) other electronic communications of hon. Members between July and December 2005; and how many requests his Department has received for details of the communications traffic data of hon. Members in this period.
(47558)154
Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):To ask the Prime Minister, whether the Wilson Doctrine applies to (a) Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly and (b) (i) UK and (ii) non-UK members of the European Parliament.
[Transferred] (47539)155
Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):To ask the Prime Minister, whether the Wilson Doctrine applies to Members of (a) the Welsh Assembly and (b) the Scottish Parliament.
[Transferred] (47545)156
Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):To ask the Prime Minister, what discussions he has had on the right to privacy under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights in relation to a possible suspension of the Wilson Doctrine.
[Transferred] (47548)157
Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):To ask the Prime Minister, what discussions have taken place regarding the suspension of the Wilson Doctrine on interception of parliamentary communications.
[Transferred] (47550)158
Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):To ask the Prime Minister, whether the Wilson Doctrine has been updated to apply to internet activity.
[Transferred] (47556)159
Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):To ask the Prime Minister, whether the Wilson Doctrine applies to (a) communications traffic data and (b) the interception of postal services.
[Transferred] (47557)
Many Members of Parliament have signed three Early Day Motions on the topic:
EDM 1378 TAPPING OF HON. MEMBERS' TELEPHONES 16.01.2006Challen, Colin
That this House believes there should be no change to the Wilson doctrine on tapping hon. Members' telephones without a full debate and vote in the House.
85 signatures
and
EDM 1395 TAPPING OF HON. MEMBERS' TELEPHONES (No. 2) 17.01.2006Williams, Roger
That this House condemns the planned proposals to abandon the Wilson Doctrine thereby permitting hon. Members' telephone lines to be tapped by HM security services; deplores this Government's irrational justification for spying on democratically elected representatives which, far from its stated aim of fighting terrorism, merely raises suspicions that any sensitive information gathered could be used for political gain by the Government of the day; recognises the vital importance of maintaining public confidence in this country's elected representatives as well as the political institutions they serve and that such plans damage the trust which the electorate place in politicians through the constitutional process of a general election; recognises the sanctity and supremacy of the parliamentary oath which ensures that parliamentarians operate with their constituents' best interests at heart; and reaffirms the belief that hon. Members are above all public servants and that suggesting hon. Members are potential instruments of terror is disrespectful of the public's ability to cast an informed judgement.
34 SIgnatures
and
EDM 1404 WIRE-TAPPING OF HON. MEMBERS' TELEPHONES 17.01.2006Kilfoyle, Peter
That this House, being mindful of the Wilson Doctrine on the wiretapping of hon. Members' telephones, is resolutely opposed to the proposal that wiretapping of hon. Members' telephones be re-introduced.
67 Signatures
When will the Prime Minister get around to clarifying the current situation with the "Wilson Doctrine" ?
Comments
on wiretapping of Parliamentarians in Italy, Constitutional Court has given last 24 Oct. a judgement which upholds the prohibition. The reasons have to be given in the next months.
Posted by: Giampiero Buonomo | November 1, 2007 5:58 AM