§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has undertaken into the impact of the change to the right to silence made by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 on the number of convictions; and if he will make a statement.[123138]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeHome Office Research Study 199, "The right of silence: the impact of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994", which was published in March 2000, examined the practical impact of the provisions on the interviewing of suspects at the police station and on proceedings in court. The report found a significant reduction in the extent to which suspects rely on silence when questioned by the police. The report concludes that conviction rates do not appear to have been affected, but the provisions may have introduced efficiencies in the investigation and prosecution process, with more productive interviews; greater scope for the investigation of accounts provided by suspects during interviews; and greater certainty of convictions where silence augments an already sound prosecution case. A copy has been placed in the Library.