§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief 80W constable of West Mercia giving the reasons why two detective sergeants and a detective constable were suspended before August 1984 during the course of the inquiry into the murder of Miss Hilda Murrell; when he expects disciplinary procedures to be completed; and whether the detectives were suspended on full pay or half pay.
§ Mr. Giles ShawI understand from the chief constable of West Mercia that on 7 August 1984 he announced that three officers, two from his force and the third from the West Midlands police, attached to the No. 4 Regional Crime Squad, were suspended from duty during the course of a disciplinary inquiry into whether they had failed properly to carry out their duties. The inquiry began on 21 June 1984; one officer from West Mercia and the officer from West Midlands were suspended on 28 June and the second officer from West Mercia was suspended on 2 August. A report of the inquiry will be submitted to the deputy chief constable shortly who will then take a decision on whether disciplinary charges should be brought. In accordance with normal practice the officers were suspended on full pay, but one has since resigned from the police service.