§ Mr. Edward Gardnerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to authorise the publication of the Osmond Report commissioned by the Lancashire Police Authority for the investigation of allegations against the conduct of Mr. Parr, the former Chief Constable of Lancashire.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesNo. This was a report to the Lancashire Police Authority, not to me, and the police authority has decided that it would not be appropriate to publish it, and so to risk the loss of qualified privilege which might result from publication. That decision is, of course, consistent with the long-standing principle that police reports are confidential and can be written on the assumption that they will not be made public: an assumption which is a necessary condition of their containing a complete account of the relevant information. I am, however, with the agreement of the police authority, putting in the Library of both Houses copies of the report of the tribunal set up to hear disciplinary charges against Mr. Parr, which has been sent to me in accordance with the relevant regulations.