Part 6Bulk warrants

CHAPTER 1Bulk interception warrants

Restrictions on use or disclosure of material obtained under warrants etc.

151Safeguards relating to disclosure of material overseas

1

The Secretary of State must ensure, in relation to every bulk interception warrant, that arrangements are in force for securing that—

a

any material obtained under the warrant is handed over to overseas authorities only if the requirements of subsection (2) are met, and

b

copies of any such material are given to overseas authorities only if those requirements are met.

2

The requirements of this subsection are met in the case of a warrant if it appears to the Secretary of State—

a

that requirements corresponding to the requirements of section 150(2) and (5) and section 152 will apply, to such extent (if any) as the Secretary of State considers appropriate, in relation to any of the material which is handed over, or any copy of which is given, to the authorities in question, and

b

that restrictions are in force which would prevent, to such extent (if any) as the Secretary of State considers appropriate, the doing of anything in, for the purposes of or in connection with any proceedings outside the United Kingdom which would result in a prohibited disclosure.

3

In subsection (2)(b) “prohibited disclosure” means a disclosure which, if made in the United Kingdom, would breach the prohibition in section 56(1) (see section 156).

4

In this section—

  • “copy” has the same meaning as in section 150;

  • “overseas authorities” means authorities of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom.