§ Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied with present procedures for the interrogation of minors in police custody; and what general 362W arrangements there are for the parents to be present during all such interviews.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsAppropriate guidance on this matter is contained in the administrative directions approved by the judges and issued by my Department to all police forces with the Judges' Rules. The directions make it clear that as far as practicable, children under 17 should be interviewed only in the presence of a parent or guardian, or, in their absence, some person who is not a police officer and is of the same sex as the child.
§ Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what studies he has made of the use of tape recorders during police interrogations; and what consideration has been given to making compulsory the use of such procedures in Great Britain.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Burton (Mr. Lawrence) on 14th February.—[Vol. 886, c.223.]