HL Deb 18 April 1989 vol 506 cc764-5WA
Lord Elton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they have taken, following the failure of the Metroplitan Police on two occasions to find significant items when searching an IRA base in Clapham, to establish and remedy the causes of that failure particularly in respect of training in and supervision of the work of the Special Branch of that force.

Earl Ferrers

The head of the anti-terrorist branch of the Metropolitan Police, which carried out the search of the flat, has publicly acknowledged that these lapses should not have occurred. I understand that as soon as they came to light he carried out an urgent review of search procedures. He found that existing procedures were adequate, but that they had not been properly implemented on this occasion. Fresh instructions have now been issued to the branch and additional search training is being given.