§ 45. Mr. Woodburnasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the premature publication of names and descriptions in recent murder investigations which contribute to mistakes and prejudice in identification; and whether he will introduce legislation to control identification parades and to apply the stricter procedure to England and Wales which is enforced in Scotland.
§ Mr. RentonI am aware that the police sometimes publish names and descriptions of persons whom they wish to interview in connection with alleged offences. It is for the courts to decide in a particular case whether publication 179W has led to prejudice. My right hon. Friend understands that the guidance given to Scottish chief constables about the conduct of identification parades does not differ in essentials from that obtaining in England and Wales, and he knows of no grounds for thinking that legislation on this subject is called for.