THE POLICE COMPLAINTS BOARD

HL Deb 17 December 1981 vol 426 c387WA

Lord Erroll of Hale

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the public are sufficiently aware of the existence of the Police Complaints Board; and whether any further steps will he taken to publicise its existence.

Lord Belstead

Since the board's inception in 1977 a leaflet entitledPolice and public which describes the police complaints procedures, including the functions of the hoard, has been available to members of the public. Chief officers of police are asked to make copies available at every police station and wherever else they consider it desirable, and to ensure that a copy is supplied to anyone on request. Copies are also supplied by the Home Office to Citizens' Advice Bureaux and are issued to other organisations and individuals on application. The question of further publicity will receive attention in the light of Lord Scarman's report and the review of the complaints system being undertaken by the Home Affairs Committee in another place.