The Retention of Communications Data (Extension of Initial Period) Order 2003
Section 105(1) of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 provides that section 104 of that Act (which confers on the Secretary of State the power to give directions about retention of communications data) shall cease to have effect at the end of the initial period unless the powers in section 104 had been exercised during that period. Section 105(2) defines the initial period as the period of two years beginning with the day on which that Act was passed (14th December 2001). This Order exercises the power in section 105(3) to extend the initial period for a period of two years beginning with the time at which that period would otherwise end.