HC Deb 20 December 1984 vol 70 c542
11. Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to put before the House of Commons his new code of professional conduct for the Metropolitan police.

Mr. Brittan

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that his handbook of guidance for professional conduct will be published in the new year. He intends at that stage to send copies personally to all hon. Members with constituencies in the Metropolitan police district. I shall arrange for copies to be placed in the Library of the House at the same time.

Mr. Atkinson

Is the Home Secretary aware that many well-informed people who are concerned with civil rights, and also with improving relations between the police and the public, are anxious to discuss the details of the code because they believe that it could be a contributory factor to both aspects? Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman therefore do his best to encourage the Leader of the House to bring the code before the House for full debate as soon as possible in the new year?

Mr. Brittan

My right hon. Friend the Leader of the House will have heard what the hon. Gentleman said. I cannot add to that, but I agree that the documents to be published are of great importance; and amount to a real effort by the police to deal with matters which affect us all.

I hope that I shall be allowed to pay tribute to the former deputy commissioner, Mr. Laugharne, who has been closely involved in the production of these substantial and creative documents, but who, sadly, had to resign earlier this month because of ill health.

Mr. Greenway

Has my right hon. and learned Friend seen some of the damaging and unpleasant documents produced by the so-called GLC police committee at a cost to public funds of some £8 million? Will he ensure that the morale of the Metropolitan police is not allowed to be damaged by the appalling activities of that committee?

Mr. Brittan

The morale of the Metropolitan police is much more dependent on the knowledge that it is doing a job in a very professional way, that it has the support of the overwhelming majority of the people of London and that the committee to which my hon. Friend referred has no standing or authority whatever.