HC Deb 19 June 1972 vol 839 cc22-3W
Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from professional groups and organisations representing public servants about his Department's instructions to chief constables to pass on information about their members; and what reply he has sent.

Mr. Maudling

I have not received any such representations.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been spent by his Department under Circular 77/19 in indemnifying the police against liabilities incurred by them as a result of the submission of reports to professional bodies and organisations representing public servants.

Mr. Maudling

Nothing.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for making public the instructions and procedures whereby chief constables are instructed by his Department to pass on information regarding members of professional groups and public servants.

Mr. Maudling

I see no purpose in giving publicity to the existing arrangements, which have applied for a number of years. I am glad, however, to take this opportunity of explaining that chief officers of police are asked—there is no power to instruct them—to bring to the notice of the responsible professional and other bodies certain types of convictions of persons engaged in medicine, the law, the public services, and teaching and the care of children.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints have been brought against the police regarding the instructions given to them in his Department's circulars to pass on information regarding members of professional groups and public servants.

Mr. Maudling

None to my knowledge.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now withdraw all circulars from his Department to chief constables instructing them to pass on information regarding members of professional groups and public servants.

Mr. Maudling

No. In any event, they do not contain instructions.