HC Deb 28 October 1986 vol 103 cc86-7W
Mr. Tom Cox

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the inquiries which have taken place into the death of people while in police custody during each of the last five years;

(2) what has been the number of people who have died in police custody in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

The number of persons who died in police custody (or otherwise with the police) during the years 1981–85 is contained in the annual reports of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary — HC 463 (1981), HC 15 (1982), HC 528 (1983), HC 369 (1984), HC 437 (1985) and for those within the Metropolitan police district, in the annual reports of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis (Cmnd. 8569, 8928, 9268, 9541 and 9790). There have been no inquiries under section 32 of the Police Act 1964 into any death in police custody in the last five years. Information as to the number of investigations following a complaint against the police, or internal police inquiries, undertaken as a result of a death in police custody is not separately recorded. The number of inquests and inquest verdicts is dealt with in the annual reports.