HL Deb 12 May 1981 vol 420 c441

2.48 pm..

Lord Inglewood

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect to be able to make a statement on Operation Countryman.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Belstead)

My Lords, Operation Countryman is a police investigation into alleged criminal offences by officers of the City of London and Metropolitan Police Forces. The investigation is under the direction of a senior officer from another force. In accordance with usual procedure, his reports are being submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions for his consideration of the possible need for criminal proceedings. My right honourable friend the Home Secretary has at present no plans to issue any further statement about the investigation.

Lord Inglewood

My Lords, would my noble friend confirm that allowing this rather unsavoury inquiry to drag on for so long gives the impression of some cover-up, particularly to that part of the public which seeks every excuse to attack the police, no mattter how unjustly? Further, considering the size of this problem and the length of time it has been with us, may I ask him to ask his right honourable friend to tell us more and see whether the investigation can be hastened and brought to an early conclusion?

Lord Belstead

My Lords, I have little doubt that all concerned will wish to consider carefully the lessons to be learned from the way in which this inquiry has gone. I must emphasise that Operation Countryman is a police investigation into allegations of serious criminal offences, some of which are now before the courts, and therefore I think it would be wrong of me to comment further. This is a matter for the two commissioners concerned and they are well aware of the need to continue as fast as possible.

Lord Elwyn-Jones

My Lords, is it not a matter of satisfaction that the police themselves are undertaking the task of examining the question of whether there is support for the allegations that have been made? The inquiry is being conducted by the police themselves fully and carefully, with no restraint.

Lord Belstead

My Lords, I entirely agree with the view expressed by the noble and learned Lord.