§ Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will issue a circular to chief constables in Scotland outlining a code of conduct for the police in dealing with requests by sheriff's officers for assistance in taking custody of children, in view of the recent case in Strathclyde when police officers co-operated with sheriff's officers in the removal of children from bed at four a.m.
§ Mr. Harry EwingI see no need to issue a circular along the lines suggested. I understand that the police were present during the incident to which my hon. Friend refers in order to ensure that there was no breach of the peace. The police did not receive a request for assistance from the sheriff's officers, nor did they give any assistance.