§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what response he has made to the submissions of the Police Federation on Home Office Circular No. 63/1977 on the subject of the working of the Police (Complaints) Act 1976; and, in particular, whether he intends that police officers subject to complaints that involve criminal offences shall be informed immediately if criminal charges are to be preferred against them, if such officers, after being warned are to have the same "right of silence" as all other citizens, and if before trial or disciplinary hearings they are to have access to all letters and other documents contained in the complaints made against them;
(2) when he expects to meet representatives of the Police Federation to consider the working of the Police (Complaints) Act 1976 and its effect on the police service.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI have written to the secretary of the Police Federation proposing that, as previously envisaged, the review of the working of the complaints procedures, which will also involve the other interested parties, should await the publication of the first report of the Police Complaints Board, which is expected shortly. I have also suggested that in the meantime the Federation might wish to discuss with officials of my Department matters arising from Home Office circular No. 63/77, including the issues to which the hon. Member refers.