§ Mr. McFallTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what reports the Lord Advocate has received, and when, from Strathclyde police on their internal investigations into allegations of corrupt links between police officers and organised crime; what action he has taken in respect of these reports; and if he will make a statement. [26917]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonMy noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate informs me that this matter was first reported to the regional procurator fiscal at Glasgow on 2 June 1995. The regional procurator fiscal has been kept regularly informed of progress in the investigation by Strathclyde police into a number of allegations by a convicted criminal about the conduct of some of its officers and the activities of prominent criminals in the Glasgow area. The regional procurator fiscal has in turn kept the Crown Office fully informed and, where appropriate, Crown counsel's instructions have been obtained concerning relevant aspects of the investigation. The investigation is continuing under the independent guidance and direction of the regional procurator fiscal. It would be entirely inappropriate to disclose details of the allegations or of the investigation.