§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out in full the Metropolitan Police identification parade code, the origins of the code and why terms such as mulatto, quadroon and octoroon are still used; if the code is being reviewed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe section of the Metropolitan police commissioner's general orders dealing with identification parades reflects directly the rules and administrative guidance laid down in Home Office circular 109/1978, a copy of which i s in the Library of the House. This circular was issued in the light of recommendations of the departmental committee on evidence of identification in criminal cases— the Devlin committee— published on 26 April 1976.
The code of practice on identification to be made under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 will replace existing provisions on identification parades. The code has been published in draft and a copy is in the Library of the House. It has no reference to the terms to which the hon. Member refers.