The police in Britain have determined that sexual abuse allegations against Edward Heath, a former prime minister who died in 2005, are serious enough that they would merit calling him in for questioning were he still alive, according to a report released on Thursday.

But Chief Constable Mike Veale of Wiltshire Police, which conducted the investigation, said the report “does not draw any conclusions as to the likely guilt or innocence” of Mr. Heath.

The police department said that 40 people had made 42 separate allegations, spanning a period from 1956 to 1992. That period covers the bulk of Mr. Heath’s political career. He was prime minister from 1970 to 1974, leader of the Conservative Party from 1965 to 1975, and a member of Parliament from 1950 to 2001.

The police said the allegations included child sexual abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse against an adult.