HC Deb 27 July 1977 vol 936 cc314-5W
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he now intends to take to carry out proposals in The Feasibility on an Experiment in Tape-recording of Police Interrogation, Command Paper No. 6630; and whether he proposes to refer the results of any such experiment to the committee set up to study the pre-trial Processes.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

The question of tape-recording police interrogations falls within the terms of reference of the Royal Commission on Criminal Procedure. However, I recognise the need for an early decision on an experiment, and I propose to consult the chairman of the Royal Commission, when appointed, to see whether he will be able to let me have any views on this matter which would assist me in coming to a decision on whether or not to set up an experiment, and on the form of any experiment.

As I indicated when the report referred to by my hon. Friend was first published, I shall also take into account the views of interested organisations and individuals, as well as the financial implications in present circumstances. I have received some helpful, though divergent, comments from those whose views have been particularly invited; my Department is issuing a final reminder to those who have not yet responded to the request for their comments.