§ 19. Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints were made against the police in Sheffield in 1974 and 1975.
§ Dr. SummerskillI understand from the Chief Constable of South Yorkshire that the number of complaints made against police officers in Sheffield was 301 in 1974 and 309 in 1975.
Mr. HookyWill the Minister say how many of these complaints resulted in disciplinary action and how many in prosecution?
§ Dr. SummerskillOf 301 complaints in 1974 86 were subsequently withdrawn or not proceeded with; 42 of them—about 14 per cent.—were substantiated. The complete figures for 1975 are not yet available, but of 309 complaints 98 were subsequently withdrawn or not proceeded with; 19 were substantiated.
§ Mr. BeithWill the Minister agree that the fact that a high proportion of complaints is not substantiated might now be brought more to public attention through the new complaints machinery? It ill behoves the Opposition Front Bench to complain about the measure when they did not vote against it on Second Reading.
§ Dr. SummerskillI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for pointing that out.