§ Mr. Oakesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in which six police areas experiments with tape recorded statements will take place.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the areas where the field trials of the tape recording of interviews with suspects are to take place.
§ Mr. MayhewThe areas have yet to be determined. Among the factors which have to be taken into account in their choice are the need to secure a representative cross-section of police activity, special difficulties which may be presented—for example language problems—and the catchment areas of courts. We will announce the choice of areas as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Oakesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has sought evidence from foreign and Commonwealth countries, in particular the Commonwealth of Australia, about the tape recording by the police of statements of accused persons.
§ Mr. MayhewThe steering committee which is to be established to devise and oversee the tape recording field trials announced on 15 November will be taking into its consideration overseas experience.—[Vol. 32, c. 16–17.] Research conducted for the Royal Commission on criminal procedure on tape recording included a survey of overseas experience. The Home Office has already established contact with various state police forces, the federal police and others involved in tape recording of police interviews with suspects in Australia.