SIR WALTER FOSTER (Derbyshire, Ilkeston)To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received any communication respecting the case of two boys named Taylor and Hall who, it is alleged, were birched, with a view of extorting confessions, by members of the Sparkhill police force; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the case.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Akers-Douglas). I presume the name Hall in this Question is a mistake for Heekes; if so, the case is one about which I have already made inquiry, and I have received a report of the facts from the Chief Constable of Worcestershire. Taylor, it appears, was not birched, but was prevented by force from assaulting his fellow prisoner. Heekes 750 was birched, not for the purpose of extorting a confession, but at his own request, instead of charging him with a theft to which he had already confessed. The action of the police superintendent in birching the boy was clearly most improper, and I am glad to find that the chief constable takes a very serious view of his misconduct. I am still in communication with the police authorities with regard to the incident.