§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any proposals to place Devon the regulation of video surveillance on a statutory footing; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenWe have no plans to introduce legislation covering the use of video cameras in public places for surveillance purposes to combat crime. The Home Office issued guidelines in 1984 for the police on the use of surveillance equipment. These guidelines make it clear that CCTV devices should be used by the police only where they are necessary for the efficient conduct of police operations and with due regard for the intrusion of privacy that may result in particular circumstances.