§ Mr. Greg Knightasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Greater Manchester as to the reasons why the police have refrained from arresting Mr. Virji Mendis in the church buildings which he is currently occupying; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he intends to issue any guidance to chief constables concerning their practice towards the arrest of suspects or persons who have committed offences and who remain upon church property in an attempt to avoid arrest; and if he will make a statement;
(3) if he has any plans to introduce legislation to recreate a right of sanctuary from arrest in Church buildings; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe Police may enter and search any premises for the purposes of making an arrest, including those used for religious purposes, in accordance with the provisions of section 17 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. The decision whether or not to use this power in the circumstances of a particular case is an operational matter for the judgment of the appropriate chief officer of police who will take account of all the factors which he considers to be relevant. We have no plans to call for a report from the chief constable of Greater Manchester or to introduce legislation to create a right of sanctuary or to issue guidance to chief officers.