§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the statement made by Baroness Blatch on 2nd December 1996 (H.L. Deb., col. 518), what are their reasons for considering that no protection against disclosure of police cautions needs to be provided under the Police Bill [H.L.] whereas effective protection is given in relation to "spent" criminal convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
§ Baroness Blatch:Details of cautions recorded in central police records will be disclosed in Criminal Record Certificates and Enhanced Criminal Record Certificates. Both types of certificate will be issued only in respect of occupations and offices which are exceptions to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and will include details of "spent" convictions.
Clause 111(3) of the Police Bill, as amended in Committee, provides for a new criminal offence if a member, officer or employee of a registered body discloses information from a Criminal Record Certificate or Enhanced Certificate other than in the course of his duty. This would apply to information about cautions.