Independent Commissioner for the Holding Centres

HC Deb 16 December 1994 vol 251 cc829-30W

Mr. Matthew Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will amend the terms of reference for the independent commissioner for the holding centres to permit the commissioner to be present at interviews with terrorist suspects in the police offices.

Sir John Wheeler

Following discussions with the Royal Ulster Constabulary, I have today placed in the Library of the House revised terms of reference for the Independent Commissioner for the Holding Centres to permit him to be present at interviews with terrorist suspects in the police offices, subject to certain caveats agreed both by the Commissioner and the RUC.

This represents a very positive response to Sir Louis Blom-Cooper's comments in his first annual report which reflect his view that, to sustain its credibility, such a right must be vested in the post.