§ 24. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that a prisoner, called William Hatch, recently shot himself fatally while being escorted from the cells at Old Street police station to a prison van; why was this prisoner allowed firearms and ammunition; and if he will take steps to prevent such occurrences in future.
§ Mr. EdeThis man managed to conceal on his person a very small pistol which was already loaded. At the inquest, full inquiry was made about the searching of the prisoner, and the coroner said that he did not regard the failure to find the pistol as reflecting adversely on the police officer concerned. The failure is much regretted, but the circumstances do not indicate any general defect in the arrangements for the searching of prisoners.
§ Mr. HughesDoes my right hon. Friend agree that this touches a very important principle, namely, that prisoners in the custody of the police should be protected from violence not only by others but also by themselves?
§ Mr. GallacherWill not the Minister make a real inquiry into this, because in my experience, any time I was in I could not keep even a crumb of tobacco?
§ Mr. EdeIn dealing with convicted persons, the police do have regard to the previous record of the prisoner.