§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsI beg to move amendment No. 319, in page 73, line 22, after 'proceedings', insert
'including any civil proceedings that may be undertaken by the officer complained of.The purpose of the amendment is to make it clear that information that is available to a police complaints authority that can be passed on for the purpose of any civil, criminal or disiplinary proceedings against the officer complained of shall not be denied to him when he seeks an action in civil proceedings, such as defamation. I should like my right hon. Friend to confirm that that is so. He will recall that earlier in the debates I mentioned the first case, where the Queen's Bench Division ruled that the complaint must be made available to a police officer. This is the same principle, and I hope that the Government will accept it.
§ Mr. HurdI think that what my hon. Friend the Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Griffiths) is seeking is already in the Bill, in clause 89 (1) (b), which provides an exception to the confidential rule, where such disclosure is for the purpose of criminal, civil or disciplinary proceedings.
Within that wide category are already included civil proceedings brought by an officer who has been the subject of a complaint. As my hon. Friend is seeking confirmation that police officers will have the right to that information, I can give it, as it is in the Bill.
§ Amendment negatived.