The intelligence services' interception of politicians' communications data is being challenged at a hearing.
Green Party politicians Caroline Lucas and Baroness Jenny Jones and former Respect MP George Galloway say a doctrine protecting MPs' communications is being breached.
Their lawyer told the Investigatory Powers Tribunal strict safeguards on the power were "an important bulwark".
The tribunal investigates complaints against the security services.
Snowden exposure
The trio say MPs' communications with the public are being intercepted as part of the Tempora mass data collection programme exposed by former US intelligence analyst Edward Snowden.
The Wilson doctrine, named after former prime minister Harold Wilson, protects MPs' phones and electronic communications, including emails.
The politicians want an independent judge to sign off any surveillance that does take place.
Counsel Ben Jaffey, who is acting for Ms Lucas and Baroness Jones, told the hearing: "The Wilson doctrine does not exclude any possibility of surveillance or intercept of MPs. Nor should it.
"MPs are human, as are judges, lawyers and journalists.
"But given their important constitutional function, strict safeguards to protect parliamentary communications are an important bulwark for the protection of the public interest."
Earlier, speaking ahead of the hearing in London, Baroness Jones said: "As parliamentarians, our job is to hold ministers to account.
I do hope they will be voting against the government when Dave gets round to his snooping bill. Looks like the way to avoid it is to become an MP..... one law for you lot and don't apply it to us.
Green Party politicians Caroline Lucas and Baroness Jenny Jones and former Respect MP George Galloway say a doctrine protecting MPs' communications is being breached.
Their lawyer told the Investigatory Powers Tribunal strict safeguards on the power were "an important bulwark".
The tribunal investigates complaints against the security services.
Snowden exposure
The trio say MPs' communications with the public are being intercepted as part of the Tempora mass data collection programme exposed by former US intelligence analyst Edward Snowden.
The Wilson doctrine, named after former prime minister Harold Wilson, protects MPs' phones and electronic communications, including emails.
The politicians want an independent judge to sign off any surveillance that does take place.
Counsel Ben Jaffey, who is acting for Ms Lucas and Baroness Jones, told the hearing: "The Wilson doctrine does not exclude any possibility of surveillance or intercept of MPs. Nor should it.
"MPs are human, as are judges, lawyers and journalists.
"But given their important constitutional function, strict safeguards to protect parliamentary communications are an important bulwark for the protection of the public interest."
Earlier, speaking ahead of the hearing in London, Baroness Jones said: "As parliamentarians, our job is to hold ministers to account.
I do hope they will be voting against the government when Dave gets round to his snooping bill. Looks like the way to avoid it is to become an MP..... one law for you lot and don't apply it to us.
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