§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the number of persons who have died while in police custody for each year from 1970 to the present; and if he will provide a breakdown to show the causes of death and the police areas in which deaths occurred.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe information requested is not readily available. I have, however, asked for reports from chief officers of police, and as soon as these have been received and considered I shall write to my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the number of persons who have 204W that the investigation of Mr. Stevenson's complaints against the police is linked in certain respects to inquiries into allegations that he has made of perjury by another person in a recent court case in which he was involved. I understand that a preliminary report has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions who has asked for some further inquiries to be made. Until the results of these are available it is not possible to say when the investigation as a whole will be completed.