§ Miss Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many men and women recruited to the Metropolitan Police in 1977 and 1978, respectively, had findings of guilt as juveniles; how many have convictions as adults; whether or not those findings of guilt or convictions are spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; of those, previously convicted as adults, of what offences they were convicted; and what criteria are used in deciding whether or not to recruit an applicant with previous convictions or findings of guilt.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe figures sought could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The Commissioner has 401W informed me that candidates with convictions or findings of guilt recorded against them are rejected unless the offence is of a trivial nature and indicates no general disrespect for the law and no risk that the candidate might not be able to discharge the duties of a constable in an impartial and effective manner.