HL Deb 27 July 1993 vol 548 c117WA
Baroness Mallalieu

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they will take, in the light of the judgment of the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) in the case of Regina v. Taylor and Taylor, to ensure that police offices in charge of criminal investigations are aware of, and comply with, their obligations in respect of disclosure to the defence.

Earl Ferrers

Guidance on disclosure was available to the police, in the form of guidelines issued by the Attorney-General in 1981, at the time of their investigations in theTaylor case. Further detailed guidance in the form of a Manual of Guidance was issued to the police in March 1992. This has been supplemented by Home Office circulars issued in December 1992 and June 1993. If followed the guidance should ensure that full disclosure takes place. Failure to disclose relevant information could lead to disciplinary proceedings. An investigation is underway by the Metropolitan Police as a result of the Appeal Court's remarks in the Taylor case.