Written question asked by Greg Hands (Conservative) on Monday, 6 March 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 8 March 2006. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Wednesday, 22 March 2006 on behalf of the Home Office.

Custody Visitors

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many independent custody visitors in England and Wales have signed the Official Secrets Act 1989 as part of the (a) appointment and (b) re-appointment process;

Answer: Information is not held centrally. Every police authority is required under section 51 of the Police Reform Act 2002 to make arrangements for independent custody visitors in their area and to keep those arrangements under review. Police authorities are responsible for recruiting, selecting and appointing independent custody visitors. It is an operational matter for the police authority in consultation with the relevant chief officer of police to consider the level of vetting and security clearance required in their police area.

Secondary information