To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions the police remotely accessed personal computers (a) in the UK and (b) outside the UK without the owner’s consent in each of the last five years; under what powers this remote searching took place in each case; and if she will make a statement. (247112)

Police investigations are independent of Government and there is no requirement on the police to report to Government authorisations made under the relevant legislation. That is, under Part III of the Police Act 1997 that provides lawful authority for police interference with property.

Part III of the Act is overseen by the Chief Surveillance Commissioner whose Annual Report is laid before the House and can be found on the internet at:

http://www.surveillancecommissioners.gov.uk