HC Deb 10 November 1975 vol 899 cc454-6W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what plans he has to introduce a new procedure for dealing with complaints against the police; and if he will make a statement;

(2) how many complaints against the police were recorded by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary in 1974; what percentage of these complaints resulted in criminal prosecutions; and what percentage was found to be groundless;

(3) what consultations he has had with the Scottish Police Federation, the Superintendents' Association, the Association of Chief Police Officers and Scottish local authorities about a new procedure for dealing with complaints against police officers; and what opinions were expressed by these bodies;

(4) how many letters or representations he has had over the past year about the inadequacy of procedures for dealing with complaints against the police.

Mr. William Ross

Two meetings with representatives of the three police associations and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities have been held to discuss outline proposals for a new procedure, which will now be put before the Police Advisory Board for Scotland. Until these consultations are complete I cannot usefully make a statement. While the police associations question the need for a change in the present procedure they have made constructive suggestions about the principles which should govern any new scheme to be introduced.

I regularly receive letters from hon. Members and direct from the public ask-

New Authority Old Area Rate Poundage
Region and District 1974–75 1975–76 Increase or Decrease
p p p %
Grampian
Moray … … Burghead … … 69 109 +40 +58
… … Elgin … … 97 109 +12 +12
… … Forres … … 94 109 +15 +16
… … Lossiemouth … … 70 109 +39 +56
… … Rothes … … 119 109 −10 −8
… … Aberlour … … 121 131 +10 +8
… … Buckie … … 97 131 +34 +35
… … Cullen … … 78 131 +53 +68
… … Dufftown … … 110 131 +21 +19
… … Findochty … … 85 131 +46 +54
… … Keith … … 91 131 +40 +44
… … Portknockie … … 103 131 +28 +27
Banff, and Buchan … … Aberchirder … … 79 134 +55 +70
… … Banff … … 88 134 +46 +52
… … Macduff … … 78 134 +56 +72
… … Portsoy … … 97 134 +37 +38
… … Fraserburgh … … 91 127 +36 +40
… … Peterhead … … 60 127 +67 +112
… … Rosehearty … … 57 127 +70 +123
… … Turriff … … 76 127 +51 +67
Gordon … … Ellon … … 69 129 +60 +87
… … Huntly … … 77 129 +52 +68
… … Inverurie … … 82 129 +47 +57
… … Kintore … … 77 129 +52 +68
… … Oldmeldrum … … 78 129 +51 +65
Kincardine and Deeside … … Ballater … … 72 112 +40 +56
… … Banchory … … 66 97 +31 +47
… … Inverbervie … … 50 97 +47 +94
… … Laurencekirk … … 70 97 +27 +39
… … Stonehaven … … 55 97 +42 +76

me to look into particular complaints against the police. Many of these are expressed in terms which indicate dissatisfaction with the present arrangements.

Information on the number of complaints against the police received during 1974 and the manner of their disposal is to be found in paragraph 28 of the Report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland for the year ending 31st December 1974 (Cmnd. 6065).

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