§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of the police force have been suspended for alleged breaches of the Official Secrets Act involving the possible misuse of the police national computer; what action was taken; and how many members of the police force have access to the national computer.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe information requested in the first and second parts of the Question is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Any police officer may request information from the police national computer if so justified during the course of his duty. He makes his inquiry to one of a number of terminal points in his police force. There are 580 terminals in forces in Great Britain.