§ MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S. W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to a case heard at the Bodmin Assizes a fortnight ago, when a copy of the Cornish police regulations was shown to the judge, in which a statement appeared, on the suggested authority of the late Lord Chief Justice Denman, to the effect that constables were not to caution prisoners; and whether, inasmuch as there is reason to believe that a similar statement is contained in the regulations of other police forces, he will take steps, by the issue of a Home Office Circular, or otherwise, to secure its removal.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTMy attention has been called to this case, and I understand that the statement in question is to be omitted from the regulations for the Cornish police. I am not aware that a similar statement is to be found in the regulations of any other police force, and I have therefore at present no reason to think that a general circular is called for.