§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to inform Parliament as soon as any application is made by the Soviet Union to join Interpol; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles ShawIn practice an application by the Soviet Union to join Interpol is likely to become public knowledge. The formal position, however, is that200W application for membership is made to the Secretary-General of the organisation who is, in the first instance, responsible for any decision as regards publication. The Secretary-General also notifies member countries prior to the Interpol General Assembly of any applications for membership, although this would not necessarily be immediately the application was made.
§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what access by foreign police forces to information in Scotland Yard files and the police national computer admission to Interpol permits; if there is a common basis for disclosure to any Interpol member requesting information; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles ShawForeign police forces have no direct access through Interpol to information held by the police in the United Kingdom. The Interpol constitution provides that co-operation between member countries must be compatible with the legislation of their respective countries; all requests for assistance of the United Kingdom are made through the National Central Bureau which will supply information only if it is legally permissible and compatible with the United Kingdom interest to do so.