asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evaluations have been undertaken by the police and his Department of the impact of tape recording of police questioning of suspects.

Field trials to test tape recording equipment and procedures were held in five police force areas between 1984 and 1986. They were continuously monitored and evaluated by the Home Office and a national tape recording field trial steering committee, which included representatives of the judiciary, legal profession and police. A preliminary report was published in November 1984; a follow-up report will be published soon. We will continue to evaluate the effects of tape recording with all interested parties as it becomes widespread.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has about the plans of police forces in England and Wales to introduce tape recording of interviews with suspects.

The Government plan that tape recording of interviews with suspects should become standard police practice by 1991. Within that period, the individual force plans for introducing tape recording are an operational matter for each chief officer. Some 34 forces have been allocated grant aid to introduce tape recording during the current financial year.