§ 15. Mr. Winnickasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much of the film taken by police of demonstrations is retained by them; and for how long.
§ Mr. WhitelawThese are matters within the discretion of individual chief officers of police, and there is no central record of their procedures.
§ Mr. WinnickIs the Home Secretary aware that there is considerable and understandable disquiet over filming by police of demonstrators, as occurred on the CND demonstration recently? In the interests of civil liberties, would it not be right for such police practices to cease forthwith?
§ Mr. WhitelawThe answer to the first question is that I was not aware. The answer to the second question is "No, Sir" Mr. Eldon Griffiths: Why should not the police use modern methods to detect and identify criminals? Will my right hon. Friend encourage the police service if, by this method, they can identify in advance terrorists, whether actual or potential?
§ Mr. WhitelawI should make it clear to my hon. Friend that the purpose of the filming was for future briefing and training in the policing of large-scale events. That was a large-scale event.
§ Mr. Christopher PriceWill the Home Secretary arrange for a showing in Westminster Hall of the films so that we can all have a look at them?
§ Mr. WhitelawAn awful number of people would be bored if they had to look at them.