§ 68. Mr. BOOTHasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has examined the numerous Bills now before the House giving increased power to the police, which seriously affect the liberty of the people; whether he intends to support every one of such proposals; and, if so, will he recommend an increase of pay to accompany the additional difficult duties which were not contemplated when the existing staff was engaged?
§ Mr. McKENNAI do not know to what Bills my hon. Friend refers, except the Criminal Law Amendment Bill, which I supported and will support. I am well aware that new duties have been from 1841 time to time imposed by Parliament on the police, and these have been taken into consideration in connection with the revisions of their pay and the frequent augmentations of the force.
§ Mr. BOOTHMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman, not whether he is giving a general support to these Bills, but whether he supports the proposal in the Bill giving increased police powers, and whether he is aware that such powers are given under the Inebriates Hill, the Employment of Children Bill, and other Bills?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes. I have the impression that all these Bills have been brought in under the auspices of the Home Office.
§ Mr. BOOTHMay I take it from the right hon. Gentleman's answer that he is always in favour of any Bill that gives increased powers to the police?
§ Mr. McKENNAOh, no; my hon. Friend is going much too far.
§ 69. Mr. BOOTHasked if any statistics are available for the current year of the cases of wrongful arrest by the police in London or in the provinces and of the cases where persons have been released as innocent after police testimony has been given against them; and whether he has sanctioned the principle of promotion in the police force by the number of convictions obtained?
§ Mr. McKENNAIn reply to the first part of the question, I must refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave him on the 15th of this month. With reference to the second part, no such "principle of promotion" as is alleged is recognised in the Metropolitan Police, and I do not know of its existence in any other force. It would be so inimical to the public interest, that I cannot imagine any police authority adopting it.
§ Mr. BOOTHAre any current statistics kept which does not relate to the present year, and are there any statistics ready in the police authorities' hands which gives the information sought in the question?
§ Mr. McKENNAStatistics are compiled year by year. They are not available for the current year.
§ Mr. McKENNANot until the figures are ready.
§ 70. Mr. BOOTHasked the Secretary of State if his attention has been drawn to the wrongful arrest of a Birmingham manufacturer by the police; whether heavy fines have been inflicted upon the two constables concerned; whether the gentleman was arrested because he protested against the treatment of a prisoner; and what action the Home Office intends to take?
§ Mr. McKENNAMy attention had not been drawn before to this matter, which is one for the local police authority, but on inquiry I am informed that damages to the amount of £20 have been awarded in the County Court against one of the police constables concerned and he has been called on by the watch committee to resign. The case against the other appears to be still sub judice.