§ Mr. DenhamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what guidelines exist for the engagement of private detective agencies by the Government for the purpose of investigating the activities of British citizens;
(2) on how many occasions since 1979 his Department has engaged private detective agencies to investigate the activities of British citizens; and if he will list the date and purpose of each investigation.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what use his Department has made of private detectives in each of the last five years; at what cost; and if he will list the firms involved.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe engagement of private detectives is a matter for individual Departments and no central guidance has been issued. My Department has made no such engagements.