§ Mr. Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the joint DHSS and Home Office circular 179/76 issued on 18th November 1976 so far as it concerns matters within his responsibility.
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§ Mr. Merlyn ReesYes. This circular has been issued in order to promote understanding of the respective ròles of the police and other services concerned with cases of non-accidental injury to children, and to facilitate co-operation between them.
The circular asks those concerned to work towards police attendance at all conferences called to discuss cases of non-accidental injury, and contains guidance on such matters as the release of confidential police information, including information from the criminal records. Chief officers of police are asked to take into account any views expressed by case conferences about the investigation and prosecution of offences, but like members of other services concerned they retain the capacity to take action independently where their duties require them to do so. I consider that the police have a vitally important rôle to play in dealing with this serious and complex problem. It is my hope that the circular will help to improve co-operation between the police and other services concerned still further in the many areas where relations are already good, and to overcome difficulties where they have arisen. I am sure that it is of the utmost importance that all the services concerned should strive for the closest possible co-operation as is consonant with their respective responsibilities.
A circular in similar terms has been issued in Wales jointly by my Department and the Welsh Office. Copies of both circulars have been placed in the Library.