Letters
Orifices
Sir: It was at least honest of Auberon Waugh ('Another voice', 3 March) to confess that his information about the Police and Criminal Evidence Bill came from Mr George Stern of the Highgate Archway Motorway Extension Action Group. It is not surprising therefore that he has, as it were, put his foot in his orifice. If he had extended his inquiries to the Hampstead public library or to some other appropriate depository of fact rather than rumour he would have discovered that the Bill restricts rather than extends the possibility of the disagreeable business of intimate search. if, despite Mr Waugh's efforts, Parliament passes the Bill, police would not in future be able to make such a search for evidence of serious crime — as they can and do at present. And their ability to search for harmful weapons would be subject to much more rigorous control. Of course Mr Waugh could argue, as others have done, that this existing power Should also be removed from the police. It is a fine point. But I believe that the police do need to retain the power, which is used very infrequently, in order to ensure that Poeple in their care do not harm themselves or others.
John Wheeler, JP, MP
House of Commons, London SW1
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