Asked by: Lord Sherbourne of Didsbury (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 7 November (HL2758), whether they have any evidence of public concern caused by Operation Conifer, which was undertaken by Wiltshire Police.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
The Home Office has received a small number of letters from members of the public about Operation Conifer.
Asked by: Lord Sherbourne of Didsbury (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government which organisations or individuals are entitled to establish an inquiry into the conduct of a Police Authority's investigation.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and Independent Police Complaints Commission may review or investigate the conduct of a police force, or one of its members, respectively. The policing protocol issued under section 79 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 provides scope for a PCC to commission an independent review into a force’s particular investigation in order to assist that PCC in their statutory duty of scrutinising, supporting and challenging the overall performance of the force. A Chief Constable may also commission an independent review of an investigation conducted by their force.
Section 1 (1) of the Inquiries Act 2005 sets out the criteria for establishing a statutory public inquiry whereby a Minister may cause an inquiry to be held under this Act in relation to a case where it appears to him that (a) particular events have caused, or are capable of causing, public concern, or (b) there is public concern that particular events may have occurred. The Act is UK-wide. Ministers from the Devolved Administrations have the power to establish inquiries into matters within their remit. The Government also has the authority to establish a non-statutory inquiry in the form of an ad-hoc inquiry, an inquiry by a Committee of the Privy Council and Royal Commissions.
Section 54(2B) of the Police Act 1996 allows the Home Secretary to commission Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) to inspect and report on any force, or aspect of any force, or to commission them to carry out any further activities for the purpose of furthering police efficiency and effectiveness.
Asked by: Lord Sherbourne of Didsbury (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government which countries in the Middle East have never received a formal visit from a member of the Royal Family.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
I can confirm that every country in the Middle East has received a visit from a member of the Royal Family.