To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 17 November 1997, Official Report, column 39, what factors underlay the interval between the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, concerning international user requirements for the lawful use of interception by law enforcement agencies, and its being deposited in the Library. [17867]

The Memorandum of Understanding concerning international user requirements for the lawful use of interception by law enforcement agencies was placed in the Library on 3 March 1997 in response to a Question from Lord Lester of Herne Hill.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if MI5 is obliged to apply for a warrant of authorisation to tap a telephone in a public phone box. [17868]

Under the Interception of Communications Act 1985, a warrant authorised by a Secretary of State is required by the Security Service to intercept any communications in the course of their transmission by means of a public telecommunications system. The Interception of Communications Act applies irrespective of the type of telephone which is intercepted.