Skip to main content

Arson (Wales)

Volume 174: debated on Wednesday 13 June 1990

The text on this page has been created from Hansard archive content, it may contain typographical errors.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the National Association of Probation Officers concerning his Meibion Glyndwr police investigations; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. and learned Friend has received a letter from the National Association of Probation Officers calling for an independent inquiry into recent arrests by north Wales police. He replied on 11 May confirming that the chief constable had decided that the circumstances of the arrests should be investigated by a senior officer from another force under the supervision of the Police Complaints Authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the terms of reference of the investigation being conducted by Lancashire police into the way in which North Wales police have undertaken action relating to the arson campaign in Wales; whether the investigation is into the entire sequence of police action since the arson campaign first started; and if he will make a statement.

The investigation relates only to certain arrests, the circumstances of which were referred to the Police Complaints Authority by the chief constable of North Wales under section 88 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. The authority approved the appointment of an investigating officer from the Lancashire constabulary and is supervising the investigation. I understand that the terms of reference are:

To enquire into the circumstances leading to and surrounding the arrest of Bryn Fon, Anna Wynne-Williams, Henryd Myrddin Jones and Dyfed Wyn Thomas, to determine whether or not the police action was proper and reasonable.