HC Deb 12 June 1941 vol 372 cc320-2
40. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the offices of Industrial and General Information News Agency were raided by officers of the Special Branch on 6th March, the staff were searched, the use of the telephone prohibited, and the work of the agency stopped; that many documents were taken away and detained until 26th May, causing inconvenience to the business; and whether, now that the Director of Public Prosecutions has notified that he does not intend to commence proceedings against them, compensation will be paid to the agency for the loss of business and inconvenience caused by the police action?

Mr. H. Morrison

A search was made at these offices in pursuance of the powers and duties of the police under the Defence Regulations. There were proper grounds for this police action, and according to my information the search was properly conducted. The fact that no proceedings were subsequently instituted affords no ground for suggesting that the search was unwarranted, and I know of no grounds for considering any question of compensation.

Mr. Silverman

Will the Home Secretary explain why it took from 6th March until 26th May to decide that there were no grounds on which a prosecution could be instituted?

Mr. Morrison

I cannot say without notice on the particular point, but these things have to be considered, evidence has to be examined, and further evidence may have to be sought, and there is no particular failure, I think, that there should be that period of time.

Mr. Gallacher

Is it not the case that, if there had been any grounds for a prosecution, an effort would have been made to impose punishment of some kind upon the people responsible, and, if there is no ground for prosecution, is it not only just and fair that some consideration should be given to the loss that they have sustained as a result of the action taken against them?

Mr. Morrison

I do not agree with that argument, otherwise we could not make a search unless we were sure that a prose- cution was to follow. One of the reasons for searching premises is to see whether a prosecution ought or ought not to follow.

Mr. Silverman

If after a long delay on that account it is discovered that, in fact, there were no grounds for prosecution, ought not any loss suffered by the individual to be made good to him in some way?

Mr. Morrison

I am not at all convinced that any loss was sustained, but it could not be material in any case. I am not disposed to think that it would be right that the police should be fettered in making appropriate inquiries into various organisations and bodies who were active, and I must fully maintain the right of the police to make these searches.