§ Mr. ShersbyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made with the review of the stop-and-search provisions of the PACE codes of practice; when he expects to be able to make known to Parliament any proposals for change; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe undertook to keep the operation of the codes under review when they were debated in 1985. Last year we initiated a consultative exercise on all the codes and we are currently considering the many responses received. The responses on the stop and search provisions raise some difficult issues which will need careful thought. We hope to be able to circulate revised draft codes for public consultation later this year and then to lay these before both Houses, in accordance with the provisions of section 67 of PACE.