§ Mr. MandelsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what reasons he has been given for actuality film of police car chases being supplied by local police forces to the commercial producers of the video "Police Stop"; and what form of payment was made for this transaction;
(2) when the hon. Member for Hartlepool can expect to receive a reply to his letter of 21 March concerning the co-operation given by the police in the commercial production of the video "Police Stop";
(3) if he will request local police forces in future to stop providing film footage of police car chases and crashes to commercial video producers.
§ Mr. Charles WardleMy right hon. and noble Friend Lord Ferrers replied to the hon. Member's letter on 13 April. The supply of informaiton from police records, including video material, is an operational matter which is for the discretion of individual chief officers of police. The traffic committee of the Association of Chief Police Officers has take a close interest in the issue and will be considering it in full when the committee meets on 11512W May. I understand that the information was supplied for the purpose of promoting road safety and that none of the police forces concerned received money for the supply of footage.