HL Deb 05 March 1987 vol 485 cc813-4WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether in view of pages 33 and 34 of Lord Colville of Culross's Report of 22nd January 1987 they will ask the Independent Commission on Police Complaints in Northern Ireland to examine with particular care any future complaints arising from the operation of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Lyell)

If Parliament approves the Police (Northern Ireland) Order 1987, the Independent Commission of Police Complaints in Northern Ireland will be required to supervise the investigations of the more serious complaints against the police and will have discretion to supervise the investigation of any others. These may well include complaints by people arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. I am satisfied that the proposed commission will provide an impartial and effective oversight of the police investigations. The police complaints board already record separately details of complaints by persons arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and I would expect that in accordance with guidelines which will be issued the commission will maintain similar records.