HC Deb 14 April 1980 vol 982 cc479-80W
Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines he has issued to the police to ensure that when they request citizens to help them in their investigations, without any reason to suppose that those citizens had involved themselves in a breach of the law, they are not approached at a time of day or in a manner which causes to them and their families inconvenience, distress, embarrassment and an implied involvement in acts of crime.

Mr. Brittan

The Home Office has issued no specific guidance, but we have no doubt that, consistent with their duty to conduct inquiries expeditiously in the interests of the investigation and prevention of crime, the police recognise the need to give due consideration to the convenience and feelings of members of the public whose assistance they seek.