§ Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for the last 12-month period for which figures are available, and for the Metropolitan police only (a) what has been the average period of suspension of policemen pending inquiries (b) what has been the average period between the notification of dismissal or requirement to resign and the Commissioner's decision on appeal and (c) what has been the average period between the Commissioner's rejection of appeals and the final determination of subsequent appeals to him.
§ Mr. WhitelawI understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that information about the average period of suspension pending inquiries is not readily available. In 1979, the average period between notification of the decision and determination by the Commissioner of an appeal to him was about four months. In that year, one appeal to the Secretary of State was determined: the relevant period was 18 months.