§ Mr. Oakesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a further statement on the effectiveness of the tape recording of police interviews in selected experimental areas.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe two-year period of field trials of tape recording of police interviews with suspects in five areas is nearly complete. A further interim report will be published by the Home Office research and planning unit later this year. The final report will be prepared when all the data from the trials have been analysed.
Officers in all five areas have reacted positively to the new procedures, and there is some early evidence that tape recording has led to an increase in the rate of guilty pleas when cases come before the court.
In December 1985, the Home Office approved expenditure on police minor works connected with the introduction of some tape recording facilities in 29 forces, additional to the field trial areas. Those works will be started in the course of the current financial year. We shall be encouraging the implementation of tape recording of interviews and we shall shortly be inviting proposals for expenditure in the next financial year.
In the course of this year, my right hon. Friend intends to issue a code of practice in connection with the tape recording of interviews.