To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to the answer of 21 July 2008, Official Report, column 910W, on prisons: electronic surveillance, whether the Wilson doctrine applies (1) to telephone interception and the use of electronic surveillance by the police; and if he will make a statement; (243483)

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Lancaster and Wyre (Mr. Wallace) on 12 September 2007, Official Report, column 2103W.

The Wilson Doctrine applies to all forms of interception that are subject to authorisation by Secretary of State warrant.