HC Deb 10 July 1980 vol 988 cc749-50
19. Mr. Bradford

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made on implementing the Bennett report on interrogation procedures.

The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Mr. Michael Alison)

The recommendations of the Bennett report, which the Government accepted last July, have been implemented.

Mr. Bradford

Has the Minister noted that the DPP in Northern Ireland has decided not to proceed with cases against RUC members who were mentioned in the Bennett report? Will he undertake not to spend too much more time and resources on the Bennett report, but to apply all the Government's might and power in the defeat of the IRA?

Mr. Alison

I have already told the hon. Gentleman that the Bennett report recommendations have been implemented, so further costs and effort in that sense do not arise. As to the decisions of the DPP, that matter is outside the ambit of my responsibility.

Mr. Fitt

Is the Minister absolutely certain— I ask him to be absolute certain before he replies—that the recommendation in the Bennett report, to the effect that policemen not connected with the interrogation should be present to ensure that there is no ill-treatment is being carried out? Is he satisfied that uniformed and plain clothes police officers are there to ensure that no brutality is used during the investigation?

Mr. Alison

The hon. Gentleman's question was phrased in such terms as to indicate that he expected to receive the answer "No". In the light of my reply, the advice that I am receiving is that all the Bennett report recommendations have been implemented. I am satisfied that they have been, but I shall now check carefully in the light of what the hon. Gentleman has said.