§ * SIR PHILIP MAGNUS (London University)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether an inquiry has been made, and, if so, with what result, into the case of two gentlemen, Dr. Gerothwohl, a British subject, lecturer at Trinity College, Dublin, and Air. Lavalette, a Belgian, who, on the night of the boat race, were wrongly arrested at Vine Street police station, and not in Piccadilly as stated by the constables, and charged with being drunk and disorderly, and roughly handled by the police.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. GLADSTONE,) Leeds, W.I have made inquiries into this matter. The charge of drunkenness which was brought by the police against the gentlemen mentioned in the question was dismissed by the magistrate, and I gladly accept the view that the police, who were maintaining order in Piccadilly on boat race night in circumstances of great difficulty, were mistaken on this point. But after the fullest consideration I find it impossible to impute blame to them in this matter or to entertain the graver charges made against them. If these charges are to be pressed, it must be by proceedings in a court of law, which are open to the hon. Member's friends.