HC Deb 06 February 1985 vol 72 cc570-1W
Mr. Cohen

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement about the role of the Metropolitan police unit C11;

(2) upon whose authority the Metropolitan police unit C11 operates;

(3) if he will state (a) who is eligible to make requests and (b) who has made requests for the Metropolitan police unit C11 to operate in particular cases;

(4) what police computers and electronic surveillance equipment and technology is available to the Metropolitan police unit C11.

Mr. Giles Shaw:

C11 branch is part of the criminal investigation department of the Metropolitan police, reporting to the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis through the assistant commissioner, C department. Its officers are drawn from all branches of the police service, and are generally attached to C11 branch for limited periods. They are subject to normal supervisory control through the ordinary police chain of command.

C11 branch contributes to inquiries being conducted by other parts of the Metropolitan police, and by other police forces, through the acquisition and assessment of intelligence about the activities of those suspected of involvement in major crime.

The central drugs intelligence unit, which is part of C11 branch, is, however, a common police service with a steering committee under the chairmanship of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, and officers of the CDIU are central service appointments, not serving Metropolitan police officers.

The use of surveillance equipment by C11 officers is subject to the same rules and procedures as apply to other parts of the police service. Revised and tightened Home Office guidelines on the use of surveillance equipment by the police were issued on 19 December 1984, and a copy of them was placed in the Library of the House. Officers of C11 branch have access to the computer facilities dedicated to C department and, on the same basis as other police officers, to the police national computer.