§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate she has made of the date on which video and audio-recording equipment will be installed and fully operational in each of the holding centres. [38911]
§ Mr. IngramSilent video recording of police interviews with terrorist suspects became fully operational from midnight on 10 March 1998 in Castlereagh Holding Centre; and work is at an advanced stage to install equipment in Gough Barracks and RUC Strand Road, Londonderry. Provision to enable audio recording of such interviews has been included in the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1998, which received Royal Assent on 8 April. Audio recording will begin after the necessary draft Code of Practice has been drawn up and approved by both Houses of Parliament.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will consult with the Chief Constable and Independent Commissioner for the Holding Centres in order to draw up RUC Guidelines regulating what officers may say to suspects in the course of interrogation about their legal advisers. [38908]
§ Mr. IngramOnly the highest standards of police behaviour are acceptable in all contacts with detained persons. The complaints procedure is well publicised and where a complaint is lodged it will be investigated fully.
Guidelines on access to legal advice in the Holding Centres are set out in the statutory Code of Practice for the Detention, Treatment and Questioning of Persons Detained under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989, a copy of which is obtainable from the Library of the House.