§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are used in deciding which categories of person should be included in lists maintained by the Metropolitan policy for intelligence purposes; if the possession of a criminal record is a condition for inclusion on the list; who has access to such lists; and what safeguards exist to ensure that unauthorised persons do not gain access to such lists or that unauthorised use is not made of them; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdThese are operational matters for the Commissioner, but the Home Office has issued guidance in a circular of 17 July 1986 on the disclosure of information—a copy of which was placed in the Library—and in guidelines on the work of Special Branch, which was published in the Fourth report of the Home Affairs Select Committee in April 1985. The guidance emphasises that only necessary and relevant information should be recorded, and that police information should not be disclosed unless there are important considerations of' public interest to justify departure from that rule.