HL Deb 28 January 1998 vol 585 cc47-8WA
Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What powers the Secretary of State for Scotland has to require an external independent inquiry to be conducted into a Scottish police force in any matter he deems appropriate. [HL152]

Lord Sewel

Section 29 of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967 empowers the Secretary of State to arrange for a local inquiry to be held by a person appointed by him, into any matter connected with the policing of any area.

Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What powers a chief constable has to require an external independent inquiry into any operational matter conducted by the police force for which he has responsibility. [HL151]

Lord Sewel

A chief constable may invite the chief constable of another police force to provide an investigating officer to carry out such an inquiry, under Regulation 5 of the Police (Conduct) (Scotland) Regulations 1996. It would be within the chief constable's general discretion to arrange for a less formal type of inquiry, since chief constables are responsible for operational matters.

Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What powers police boards in Scotland have to require an independent inquiry into the conduct of any operational matter conducted by the police force they oversee. [HL150]

Lord Sewel

The chief constable alone is responsible for operational matters within his force. Under Section 15(2) of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967, however, a police authority may require a chief constable to submit a report to them on any matter connected with the policing of the area for which he is responsible.