David Morton
Lifetime Supporter
From a R.A.F.Maritime Squadron web site I belong to:
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Today the Government wanted to check out my home
... for statistical purposes!
My home had been 'selected at random' in order to produce a statistical analysis of home types and conditions across the country. The 'interviewer' turned up today with an official badge and asked to come in. I apologised for keeping her standing on the step while I nipped inside and got something.
On my return I produced a tape recorder to ensure that there wasn't any misunderstanding at any point in the future and I then politely refused her access.
I pointed out that I did not want the condition or content of my home recorded by any Government agency ... regardless of the reason.
"But we just want to check on matters such as energy efficiency."
I pointed out that as she didn't have a set of ladders to check the loft insulation nor have any tools to check the width and content of the wall cavities then that would be a pretty worthless task.
I then went on to point out that I did not want ANY Government agency to access this data, never mind all of them.
"Ah, but the data will be anonymous" she said.
I pointed out that she had my house number and address ... it was on the letter sent to me, therefore, it was not beyond the realms of rocket science to check the electoral register ... another document available to ALL public officials and add that to the fact that they could also check my phone records and bank account it would only be a matter of time before the hospital would want to set up the appointment for the anal probe!
She seemed a little amazed and staggered when I mentioned the fact that a great raft of agencies now had access to telephone records.
"That can't be true. It would never happen."
I excused myself again, and impolitely left her standing on the doorstep. Minutes later I returned with a copy of the Statutory Instrument bringing into force ... the European Directive giving a raft of agencies access to telephone records which I had printed off minutes earlier.
"I can assure you that this would not happen with this survey ... would you like to reconsider?"
The day I allow government inspectors to intrude into all aspects of my personal life will be ... and just then I looked up and for a moment and saw the following:
Even10 years ago if somebody had told me the following: "The Government will be given access to details of every phone call in Britain. By 2009 the Government will extend the rules to cover internet use: the websites we have visited, the people we have emailed and phone calls made over the net."
"Thousands of staff in other agencies will be legally entitled to retrieve the records..."
"Similar provisions are being brought in across Europe, .."
"The process allows the Government to alter laws without a full act of Parliament."
"It puts into UK law a European Directive....."
I would have said you have more chance of seeing a pig fly over my house. Today I saw the squadron.
After witnessing the persecution of greengrocer Steve Thoburn as the result of a 'European Directive' and what happens when laws are made without being discussed and debated by Parliament and now today's 'law' when will the silentmajority reach tipping point?
Posted by Neil Herron rockonsmile
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Today the Government wanted to check out my home
... for statistical purposes!
My home had been 'selected at random' in order to produce a statistical analysis of home types and conditions across the country. The 'interviewer' turned up today with an official badge and asked to come in. I apologised for keeping her standing on the step while I nipped inside and got something.
On my return I produced a tape recorder to ensure that there wasn't any misunderstanding at any point in the future and I then politely refused her access.
I pointed out that I did not want the condition or content of my home recorded by any Government agency ... regardless of the reason.
"But we just want to check on matters such as energy efficiency."
I pointed out that as she didn't have a set of ladders to check the loft insulation nor have any tools to check the width and content of the wall cavities then that would be a pretty worthless task.
I then went on to point out that I did not want ANY Government agency to access this data, never mind all of them.
"Ah, but the data will be anonymous" she said.
I pointed out that she had my house number and address ... it was on the letter sent to me, therefore, it was not beyond the realms of rocket science to check the electoral register ... another document available to ALL public officials and add that to the fact that they could also check my phone records and bank account it would only be a matter of time before the hospital would want to set up the appointment for the anal probe!
She seemed a little amazed and staggered when I mentioned the fact that a great raft of agencies now had access to telephone records.
"That can't be true. It would never happen."
I excused myself again, and impolitely left her standing on the doorstep. Minutes later I returned with a copy of the Statutory Instrument bringing into force ... the European Directive giving a raft of agencies access to telephone records which I had printed off minutes earlier.
"I can assure you that this would not happen with this survey ... would you like to reconsider?"
The day I allow government inspectors to intrude into all aspects of my personal life will be ... and just then I looked up and for a moment and saw the following:
Even10 years ago if somebody had told me the following: "The Government will be given access to details of every phone call in Britain. By 2009 the Government will extend the rules to cover internet use: the websites we have visited, the people we have emailed and phone calls made over the net."
"Thousands of staff in other agencies will be legally entitled to retrieve the records..."
"Similar provisions are being brought in across Europe, .."
"The process allows the Government to alter laws without a full act of Parliament."
"It puts into UK law a European Directive....."
I would have said you have more chance of seeing a pig fly over my house. Today I saw the squadron.
After witnessing the persecution of greengrocer Steve Thoburn as the result of a 'European Directive' and what happens when laws are made without being discussed and debated by Parliament and now today's 'law' when will the silentmajority reach tipping point?
Posted by Neil Herron rockonsmile
