§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have received requests for police and security co-operation from Turkey; and, if so, what response was made. [HL2097]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Williams of Mostyn)The security and intelligence agencies engage in liaison with the intelligence and law enforcement agencies of a large number of countries where we have common interests and concerns. Such arrangements depend upon confidentiality and it is not the Government's policy to comment on them.
Requests for police co-operation from Turkish authorities are usually processed through the offices of the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol), which is the principal channel of communication between police forces throughout the world. Inquiries have been made in respect of smuggling, drugs, fraud, forgery, art theft, missing persons and offences against the person. It is forbidden for the organisation to deal with offences of a political, military, racial or religious nature. Additional co-operation is provided by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise, which responds to requests for details and circumstances surrounding the arrest of Turkish nationals for drug smuggling. Wherever possible, drugs intelligence is shared with the Turkish authorities and this has recently resulted in the seizure of a significant quantity of heroin in Turkey.
§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What police training they are currently providing to Turkey, specifying the numbers and degree of seniority of the officers receiving training, together with the subjects covered by the training. [HL2098]
§ Lord Williams of MostynNone. However, the police staff college at Bramshill recently received a chief superintendent from Northern Cyprus who completed the International Commanders' Programme on 9 May. This programme lasts for 10 weeks, aiming to develop management and operational command skills and includes a strong element of human rights training.