§ Mr. MullinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the West Midlands as to whether any former members of the serious crime squad recently transferred to non-operational duties have since been involved in criminal investigations.
§ Mr. Peter LloydNo. The actions of the former serious crime squad are being investigated under the supervision of the Police Complaints Authority by Mr. Shaw, assistant chief constable of the West Yorkshire police, to whom all matters of concern should be reported.
On 14 August the chief constable of the West Midlands stated publicly that all officers who had served on the serious crime squad in the period 1 January 1986 to 31 December 1988 would be moved out of the CID to non-operational duty. The term "non-operational duty" covers all manner of duty other than the arrest of persons for crime or the interrogation of persons in respect of offences for which they have or may have to answer before a court. I have no evidence to suggest that the criteria outlined have been breached.
§ Mr. MullinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the West Midlands listing the members of the serious crime squad at the time it was disbanded and the dates on which they joined the squad.
§ Mr. Peter LloydNo.
§ Mr. MullinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the West Midlands as to how many members of the serious crime squad who were recently transferred to non-operational duties are currently on sick leave;
(2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the West Midlands as to the date on which Detective Sergeant Michael Honby went on sick leave and on the prospects for his return to duty.
§ Mr. Peter LloydNo. These are matters for the chief constable of the West Midlands, and my right hon. Friend sees no call for a report on them at the present time.