Clause 15— Maximum penalty for contravening notice relating to encrypted information
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I should like to put three brief questions to the Minister. Will he confirm that section 53 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 is not yet in force? Will he tell us why it is not in force? Have the police not at any time in the past five years asked for it to be put into force?
I can confirm that the section is not yet in force. I fear that to satisfy the hon. Gentleman I   should need to go into a level of detailed explanation that I am not in a position to do at the moment. However, I shall happily write to him with the explanation that he seeks.