§ Mr. Thorneasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make an early statement regarding police procedures for dealing with children suspected of crimes following his letter on the case of the child of a constituent of the hon. Member for Preston South named Cartmel.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsIn the case to which my hon. Friend refers the Chief Constable 447W of Lancashire has had a full investigation carried out in accordance with Section 49 of the Police Act 1964 into complaints against police officers made by Mrs. Cartmel. My noble Friend wrote to my hon. Friend on 4th May to let him know the outcome of this investigation. In addition, Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary has discussed the case with the Chief Constable.
No general statement is called for, since chief officers of police are well aware of the guidance on the interrogation of children and young persons—whether suspected of crime or not— contained in the administrative directions to the Judges' Rules.