HC Deb 28 June 1979 vol 969 cc633-4
9. Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up an independent investigation into recent allegations of police ill-treatment of prisoners whilst in custody.

Mr. Whitelaw

No, Sir. The law already provides that the report of an investigating officer into a complaint against the police must, unless it is clear that no criminal offence has been committed, be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for his independent consideration of the criminal aspects and must in every case be sent to the Police Complaints Board for its independent consideration of the disciplinary aspects.

Mr. Meacher

Following the death of three men held in Northumbrian police stations—Liddell Towers, Norman Barr and Ronald Blair—does the right hon. Gentleman accept that where a pattern of brutality has been shown to exist from a series of examples the police complaints procedure, or internal reporting by senior police officers, is inadequate? Will he use his powers under section 32 of the Police Act 1964 to set up an independent public inquiry into these deaths?

Mr. Whitelaw

Without commenting on the cases to which the hon. Gentleman has referred, I must say that the House deliberately enacted the 1964 Act to provide an independent element of inquiry into police complaints. I believe that the system works. If it is not working, the opportunities under section 8 are available, especially for major cases. We must proceed in accordance with the independent element of inquiry, which we deliberately set up for the purpose that the hon. Gentleman mentioned.

Mr. Christopher Price

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that there is deep concern about the matter throughout the House? Is he aware that many of the complaints about ill-treatment in custody concern ill-treatment during interrogation? Does he accept that the introduction of tape recordings into police interviews in police stations would get rid even of the need to make complaints? If the, Royal Commission recommends that, will he agree now to introduce that system?

Mr. Whitelaw

First, we must wait to see what the Royal Commission recommends. As have said, we set up an independent element of inquiry into the police. I. should work, and I believe that it will work if it is given the opportunity.