§ Mr. Lawrenceasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy towards the use of hypnotism as an aid to the questioning of witnesses in criminal cases.
§ Mr. WhitelawMy Department is aware of the growing interest of the police service in the forensic use of hypnosis and last year held a seminar on the subject attended by representatives of the police service and professional bodies. It is clear that the use of hypnosis on witnesses as an aid to criminal investigation has limitations and drawbacks, particularly as the evidential value of information gained under hypnosis may be open to question. I am therefore actively considering the issue of guidance to chief officers of police on this matter. My Department will be consulting chief officers and professional bodies on the terms of such guidance, which will draw attention to the limitations of the forensic use of hypnosis and suggest firm safeguards for its use. I shall announce my conclusions in due course.