§ Mr. Haywardasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he proposes to take to issue codes of practice under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.
§ Mr. BrittanSection 66 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 requires the Home Secretary to issue codes of practice in connection with the exercise of statutory powers of stop and search; the detention, treatment, questioning and identification of persons by police officers; searches of premises by police officers; and the seizure of property found by police officers on persons or premises. Drafts of all these codes have already been published for public comment.
I have today published revised versions of these codes. Comments will, as before, be welcome, and should be sent to Room 530, Home Office by 8 February. In accordance with section 67 of the Act I shall consider carefully all representations made about the drafts; and after deciding what modifications are appropriate I shall seek Parliament's approval for their issue, to come into force on 1 January 1986.
Copies of the drafts have been placed in the Library of each House and sent to the wide range of interested bodies and individuals who have received earlier drafts. Additional copies are available on request, free of charge, from Room 531, Home Office.