HC Deb 31 January 1978 vol 943 cc76-7W
Mr. Christopher Price

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what action he intends to take about the recommendation of the Fisher Report, paragraph 2.18, that in future circulars amending or adding to the rules and directions should be given a wide circulation and should be published in "Archbold";

(2) what instructions he has given about the enforcement of administrative direction No. 7 in the last five years; and what action he now intends to take concerning this direction in the light of paragraph 15.6 in the Fisher Report that under the present system it is possible for this direction to become a dead letter;

(3) what measures he intends to take to ensure that officers of the Metropolitan Police are aware of the Judges' Rules, administrative directions and accompanying circulars, in the light of the general statements in the Fisher Report about their non-observance and the particular reference to administrative direction No. 7;

(4) if he will publish a complete text of the Judges' Rules and administrative directions and the Home Office circulars which are relevant to them, and ensure that they are widely publicised among those responsible for criminal enforcement, in the light of the degree of ignorance about these rules, directions and circulars in the Fisher Report.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

I am considering the possible reissue, in one publication, of the Judges' Rules, the administrative directions to the Police and the relevant Home Office circulars. I will draw any reissue to the attention of the editor of "Archbold". Over the past year the Commissioner has issued new force orders on the rules and directions, and I understand that he will shortly be reminding officers in the Metropolitan Police of their importance. The enforcement of force orders on these subjects is a matter for chief officers of police, and it is for the courts to decide whether answers and statements to the police have been made voluntarily and hence whether evidence is admissible. A circular to chief officers of police was issued by the Home Office in May 1976 clarifying the second paragraph of administrative direction No. 7(a), and a copy was placed in the Library of the House.