§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to abolish the offence of wasting police time; what representations to this effect he has received from the Police Complaints Authority: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggNo. We have received no such representations from the Police Complaints Authority. My right hon. Friend is, however, considering a recommendation from the authority, contained in its triennial review, published in May this year (HC 466), that it should be empowered to dispense with the investigation of complaints which are vexatious, oppressive or an abuse of the system and cause needless and costly work for the police and itself.