§ Mr. Peter Mahonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if, in view of the public concern arising out of the police inquiry in connection with the cinema crime at Preston, he is satisfied with the operation of his regula- 80W tions for police discipline, under which senior officers adjudicate and decide upon matters of internal discipline; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he is satisfied with the operation of that part of his regulations for police discipline under which matters are referred to an outside chief constable for adjudication and are then returned to the police authority where the incident took place for final scrutiny and judgment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CallaghanThe normal arrangement is for a police discipline charge against a police officer in a provincial force to be heard by the chief constable of that force. Although it may sometimes be appropriate for him to remit the case to some other chief constable for hearing, he still retains the final decision. These arrangements are in line with the principles recommended by the Royal Commission on the Police in 1962. I keep under review the working of the procedures for handling complaints against the police.