§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the use of police officers as agents provocateur.
§ Mr. Peter LloydGuidance has been issued to all chief police officers which states that no member of a police force should counsel, incite or procure the commission of a crime. Furthermore, all police forces are aware of the need for care to avoid plain clothes officers placing themselves in situations where accusations could be made that they have acted as agents provocateur. I understand that briefing is normally given to all police officers taking part in such operations to ensure they avoid behaviour which could be so construed.