HC Deb 07 July 1965 vol 715 cc251-3W
Mr. Howe

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he is aware that advocates engaged in civil proceedings arising out of traffic accidents in which criminal proceedings have been concluded or not instituted are not always allowed by police officers subpoenaed to attend the civil court to see the original statements which they have taken from witnesses to the accident including parties to the civil proceedings; whether he will call for reports from chief constables as to the extent to which they are complying with the recommendations on this subject contained in the Final Report of the Evershed Committee on Supreme Court Practice and Procedure and in earlier circulars from his department; and whether he will take steps to ensure that police authorities are aware of and comply with the foregoing recommendations;

(2) whether he is aware that solicitors conducting civil litigation cannot always obtain from police authorities copies of statements of witnesses to traffic accidents in which criminal proceedings have been concluded or not instituted, notwithstanding the fact that the witnesses concerned have given their written consent to the disclosure of their statements; whether he will call for reports from chief constables as to the extent to which they are complying with the recommendations on this subject contained in the Final Report of the Evershed Committee on Supreme Court Practice and Procedure and in earlier circulars from his Department; and whether he will take steps to ensure that police authorities are aware of and comply with the foregoing recommendations.

Mr. George Thomas

The extent of the assistance to be given by the police in particular civil proceedings is a matter for the chief officer of police concerned to determine and my right hon. and learned Friend has no power to issue directions. Chief officers of police are aware of the recommendations made by the Supreme Court Committee on Practice and Procedure with regard to the supply of copies of witnesses' statements made to the police in road accident cases, and these recommendations are generally followed. My right hon. and learned Friend is prepared to have inquiries made in any particular case in which it appears that the Committee's recommendations are not being followed.