§ MR. ESSLEMONT (Aberdeen, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he has yet received a Report from the Chief Commissioner in regard to the evidence of the police as affecting their conduct in the case of Sadler; and, if so, whether he has any objection to lay it upon the Table?
§ MR. MATTHEWSThe Commissioner of Police informs me that the coroner's depositions confirm the statement I made on February 26th—namely, that there was no assault on Sadler in the presence of the police, and that the only constable who saw him at the dock gate did not consider him to be in such a 484 state of intoxication as to require that he should be taken into custody, and this view was shared by another police constable who saw Sadler shortly afterwards. I have received no Report beyond the information supplied in consequence of the hon. Member's questions, and I have given the substance of that information.
§ MR. ESSLEMONTCan access be obtained to the official evidence?
§ MR. MATTHEWSNo, Sir; the coroner's depositions are only made public in the event of a verdict of murder or manslaughter on the occasion of the trial by the authorities.