§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what directions or guidance of a general nature now apply in respect of the arrest, detention, charge and prosecution of a person under either the RAF Lakenheath Byelaws 1986—SI 1986/480—or the RAF Mildenhall Byelaws 1986—SI 1986/479;
(2) what directions or guidance of a general nature have been given to the Ministry of Defence police and the Crown Prosecution Service in the last five years concerning the arrest, detention, charge and prosecution of a person under either the RAF Lakenheath Byelaws 1986 —SI 1986/480—or the RAF Mildenhall Byelaws 1986—SI 1986/479.
§ Mr. HanleyThe Ministry of Defence police is an operationally independent body responsible for policing the defence estate in accordance with the provision of the Ministry of Defence Police Act 1987. One of its duties is to enforce military byelaws. Those applicable at RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall are extant but under review. In November 1993 general guidance was given to MDP by its chief constable not to arrest for byelaws offences at these sites until the review process is complete.
MDP continues, however, to escort trespassers off the premises for their own safety or may make arrests if other non-byelaws offences such as criminal damage are committed or suspected.
The Crown Prosecution Service is an independent prosecuting authority which does not accept instructions from outside agencies.