§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from (a) the Roman Catholic Church and (b) other religious denominations about the implications of new police powers of surveillance contained in the Police Bill [Lords] for the right of secrecy of the confessional and other private counselling by priests and pastors. [13312]
§ Mr. Maclean[holding answer 30 January 1997]: We have received no representations from the Roman Catholic Church or other religious denominations on this matter.