§ 79. Mrs. Callaghanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many of the 49 appeals under the Police Appeals Acts, where no tribunal was set up, more than four weeks elapsed between the date on which the appeal was lodged and the date on which the decision was conveyed to the appellant.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerForty-three.
§ 80. Mrs. Callaghanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the fact that oral inquiries have been held in only seven discipline cases out of fifty-six appeals lodged under the Police Appeals Acts, and that the police service prefer that oral evidence should be taken in as many cases as possible, he will make a statement on his policy in this matter.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerAs the hon. Member knows, the Statute requires me to cause an inquiry to he held unless it appears to me that the appeal can properly he determined without taking oral evidence. It is a matter for determination in the circumstances of each individual case whether such evidence—in addition to that given at the original hearing, of which I have a transcript—is necessary. As regards the preference of the police service, I have received no representations on this matter.