HC Deb 20 December 1989 vol 164 cc270-1W
Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will initiate an immediate inquiry into the conduct of the officers involved in obtaining confessions from Mr. Morledge;

(2) if he will make a statement on the incidents involving Kevin Morledge, Godfrey Hibbert and the Nottinghamshire police force.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

No. Any allegation of malpractice against officers of the Nottinghamshire constabulary is a matter for the chief constable of that force. I understand that the chief constable has arranged for the allegations in this case to be investigated.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers the police have to offer immunity against prosecution; and if he will review these powers in the light of the Morledge case.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

The police have no such powers.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what rules apply to the taking of confessions by police officers; and if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable for Nottinghamshire on the extent to which these were followed in the Morledge case.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

The code of practice for the detention, treatment and questioning of persons by police officers governs the way in which suspects are interviewed. A copy is available in the Library. The way in which the codes are applied in a particular case is a matter for the Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire and the courts.