§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, following the case of Mr. David Blythe of Oldham, they will hold an inquiry into why persons in custody confess to serious crimes of which they are in fact innocent, and into what can be done to prevent this.
The Minister of State, Home Office (Earl Ferrers)The Government have no plans to hold such an inquiry. The detention, treatment and questioning of persons by police officers is governed by the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and codes of practice made under that Act. The Act was preceded by a Royal Commission and extensive public and parliamentary debate.