Investigatory Powers Bill — Bulk Interception of Communications Where One or Both Parties Are Outside the British Islands — 7 Jun 2016 at 16:00

The majority of MPs voted to permit, with a warrant from a Secretary of State, the bulk interception of communications where either the sender or receiver is outside the British Islands.

MPs were considering the Investigatory Powers Bill^[1].

The amendment rejected by the majority of MPs in this vote was:

• Amendment 390, page 95, line 27, leave out clause 119.

Clause 119^[2] was titled Bulk interception warrants and provided for warrants permitting the bulk interception of communications where either the sender or receiver is outside the British Islands.

Clause 121 required a warrant to be issued personally by a Secretary of State, and provided it may only be issued to one of the three intelligence agencies. The decision to issue a warrant would also be approved by a Judicial Commissioner.

Under the provisions in the Bill a warrant could not be issued with primary purpose of obtaining communications between people in the British Islands.

“British Islands” means the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.^[3]

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• [1] Parliament's webpage on the Investigatory Powers Bill
• [2] Clause 119 of the Investigatory Powers Bill as at the time of the vote
• [3] Schedule 1 to the Interpretation Act 1978

Debate in Parliament |