HL Deb 18 June 1991 vol 530 cc12-4WA
Lord Windlesham

asked Her Majesty's Government:

To what extent the remit of the Royal Commission appointed earlier this year under the chairmanship of Viscount Runciman of Doxford differs from that of the Royal Commission on Criminal Procedure appointed in 1977 under the chairmanship of Sir Cyril Philips.

Earl Ferrers

The terms of reference of the 1977 Royal Commission on Criminal Procedure did not require it to consider matters which the Royal Commission on Criminal Justice, under the chairmanship of Viscount Runciman of Doxford, has been specifically asked to address. These include the supervision and control of police investigations; the role of experts in criminal proceedings and the relationship between the forensic science services and the police; the powers of the courts in directing proceedings, including the possibility of their having

Royal commission Date established Chairman Terms of reference Date of report
Police 1960 Sir Henry Willink To review the constitutional position of the police throughout Great Britain, the arrangements for their control and administration and, in particular, to consider: 1962
(1) the constitution and functions of local police authorities;
(2) the status and accountability of members of police forces, including chief officers of police;
(3) the relationship of the police with the public and the means of ensuring that complaints by the public against the police are effectively dealt with; and
(4) the broad principles which should govern the remuneration of the constable, having regard to the nature and extent of police duties and responsibilities and the need to attract and retain an adequate number of recruits with the proper qualifications.
Penal System 1964 Viscount Amory In the light of modern knowledge of crime and its causes and of modern penal practice here and abroad, to re-examine the concepts and purposes which should underlie the punishment and treatment of offenders in England and Wales; to report how far they are realised by the penalties and methods of treatment available to the courts, and whether any changes in these, or in the arrangements and responsibility for selecting the sentences to be imposed on particular offenders, are desirable; to review the work of the services and institutions dealing with offenders, and the responsibility for their administration; and to make recommendations. 1966 dissolved
Assizes and Quarter Sessions 1966 Lord Beeching To inquire into the present arrangements for the administration of justice at Assizes and at Quarter Sessions outside Greater London; to report what reforms should be made for the more convenient, economic and efficient disposal of the civil and criminal business at present dealt with by those courts and to consider and report on the effect these will have on the High Court, the Central Criminal Court, the Courts of Quarter Sessions in Greater London and the County Courts throughout England and Wales. 1969

an investigative role, and the courts' duty in considering evidence, including uncorroborated confession evidence; the role of the Court of Appeal in considering new evidence on appeal, including directing the investigation of allegations; and the arrangements for considering and investigating allegations of miscarriages of justice when appeal rights have been exhausted.