HC Deb 24 July 1989 vol 157 cc497-8W
Mr. Alton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of Merseyside as to what action he is taking in response to the report of Lord Gifford, concerning police involvement in drug trafficking.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

No formal allegations concerning the involvement of police officers in drug trafficking are made by Lord Gifford in his report.

Mr. Alton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he intends to take in the light of the findings of Lord Gifford's inquiry into policing in Toxteth, a copy of which has been sent to him.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

My right hon. Friend does not consider that Lord Gifford's report presents an objective and balanced assessment of the considerable progress made in improving police community relations in Liverpool 8 since 1981. Nor does he consider that there is a case for the establishment of an official inquiry into policing of the area.

Mr. Alton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he expects any prosecutions to arise in the light of Lord Gifford's allegations concerning trafficking of drugs in Toxteth.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

The question of whether a prosecution should be brought in any particular case is entirely one for the Crown prosecution service in the light of the evidence obtained by the police.