§ Mr. CotterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action is taken against constabularies that are reported as failing to comply with the Criminal50W Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 by withholding unused material from defence lawyers in criminal cases. [130537]
§ Mr. Charles Clarke[pursuant to his reply, 18 July 2000, Official Report, c. 164–65W]The first paragraph of my reply should have read as follows
The Government are aware of concerns about the operation of the disclosure provisions of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996. Since the beginning of this year, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has received three letters from Members of Parliament and four from members of the public on this issue. Action is well under way to address these concerns.