Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, futher to the answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 12 July (HL Deb, cols 963–5), what are their reasons for not establishing an inquiry into Operation Conifer conducted by the Wiltshire Police into allegations against Sir Edward Heath.

I recognise concerns that have been raised by Noble Lords in relation to Operation Conifer, however it is for locally-elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) to decide how best to hold their forces to account, and PCCs have the powers to commission an inquiry, should they deem it appropriate. The Government has no plans to launch an inquiry into Operation Conifer.