HC Deb 30 April 1908 vol 187 cc1398-9
MR. BOTTOMLEY

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, as stated by a police official in the course of some recent legal proceedings, the police have instructions to wake up all persons found asleep on public seats during the night; and, if so, whether he will consider the expediency of annulling or modifying such instructions?

THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL,) Yorkshire, Cleveland

It is the practice for the police to wake persons found sleeping at night on public seats and to direct them to the nearest shelter or casual ward. It is undesirable that public seats should be used as sleeping places, and the Secretary of State does not think any alteration in the regulations should be made.

MR. CROOKS

Why should not they sleep there?

MR. BYLES (Salford, N.)

I should like to know under what Act of Parliament men are harried and very often punished for the wholesome practice of sleeping in the open air.

MR. HERBERT SAMUEL

Under their general powers the police are empowered to take action against persons who are found committing the offence known as "sleeping out."

MR. CROOKS

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the law that allows a man to sleep in the open if ho has the price of a lodging in his pocket, whereas it is the poor fellow with nothing who is moved on?

MR. BOTTOMLEY

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us what difference it makes to the police or to the public whether a man who occupies a seat in the middle of the night is asleep or awake?

MR. ASHLEY

Has the Home Secretary power to do away with this regulation?

MR. HERBERT SAMUEL

asked for notice.