The Investigatory Powers Bill sets out all the powers available to law enforcement and the security services to monitor and access communications and communications data. Most importantly it also enhances the safeguards and oversight arrangements which govern their use, establishing a world-leading regulatory system.
The Bill brings together all of the powers already available to law enforcement and the security and intelligence agencies to obtain communications and data about communications. It also radically overhauls the way these powers are authorised and overseen. It introduces a 'double-lock' for interception warrants, so that, following authorisation by the Secretary of State, these cannot come into force until they have been approved by a judge. A powerful new Investigatory Powers Commissioner to oversee how these powers are used has also been created.
It is important that those who keep us safe have the necessary powers that are fit for the digital age. Provision is made for the retention of internet connection records in order for law enforcement to identify the communications service to which a device has connected. This will restore capabilities that have been lost as a result of changes in the way people communicate.
The enhanced privacy safeguards, which are at the heart of the Bill, protect not only sensitive professions but the public at large. Protections for lawyers and journalists have been bolstered, and the Government has made clear it will continue to work closely with industry to develop plans for retaining internet connection records. It is also welcome that for the first time the Government has published an operational case for bulk powers alongside the Bill, giving unprecedented detail on why the agencies need their existing powers, and how they are used.
Investigatory powers have been the subject of three independent reviews over the last two years, which have played an important role in developing this Bill. Following the draft Bill published in November 2015, it was revised to reflect the majority of the recommendations made by the Joint Committee, Intelligence and Security Committee and the Science and Technology Committee.
The Bill will also be subject to full Parliamentary scrutiny, following the normal Parliamentary timetable, so that it can be passed by the end of 2016.
However, please know that I am in New York on work for the Women and Equalities Select Committee when this matter will be voted on, and so I will not be voting on this.