HC Deb 27 April 1972 vol 835 cc1758-9
23. Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the latest report of the Criminal Law Revision Committee.

Mr. Maudling

On the assumption that the hon. Member has in mind the Committee's forthcoming report on evidence, I would refer him to the replies given on 18th and 20th April to Questions by the hon. and learned members for Southport (Mr. Percival) and Dulwich (Mr. S. C. Silkin).—[Vol. 835, c. 82-130.]

Mr. Meacher

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is widespread public disquiet about proposals to abolish the police caution and to require the accused to enter the witness box? Would he not agree that the withdrawal of the police caution at the moment when the investigation is least public would be a dangerous and retrograde step which would undermine the rights and liberties of the individual?

Mr. Maudling

I do not see why there should be widespread public concern about a report which has not yet been made.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

But the right hon. Gentleman is not as naive as that. There have been a number of Press leaks about what this report is said to contain, and one of them is that there should be an extension of the right to put in the previous convictions of an accused person. Would the right hon. Gentleman please note that that would be bitterly contested from this side of the House, as a grave abuse of the rights of the accused?

Mr. Maudling

I have already pointed out that some reports about likely recommendations of the committee are inaccurate. I suggest that we wait to see what the report does recommend.