§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the circumstances surrounding the procedural impropriety referred to by presiding Lord Justice Mann in the case of Mr. Paul Bennett and the subsequent discontinuance of the committal proceedings;
(2) if the services of Mr. Paul Bennett were used or employed by any of the United Kingdom's police or Government agencies prior to committal proceedings being undertaken against him.
§ Mr. Charles Wardle[holding answer 16 March 1994]: Operational matters are entirely the responsibility of the chief officer of the police force concerned. Furthermore, it would not be appropriate to make any comment at this stage on the actions of the police since the case may be considered further by the courts. I understand that a formal complaint has been lodged with the Metropolitan police.