HC Deb 05 November 1912 vol 43 cc1026-7
76. Mr. LANSBURY

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the arrest of a taxi-cab driver on a charge of being drunk while in charge of a cab at Charing Cross on 24th October, and that, although he was taken to Cannon Row Police Station, no charge was made against him, and he was allowed to go free; and whether, seeing that the man was a life abstainer, the Chief Commissioner will compensate the man for loss of time caused by his arrest on a false charge?

Mr. McKENNA

I have inquired into this case, and am informed that this taxi-cab driver at three o'clock in the after noon in Cockspur Street drove into a street refuge, and his condition was such that a constable on duty there concluded that he was under the influence of drink and took him to the police station. There the divisional surgeon examined him, and certified that, though he was in a shaky condition and unfit to be in charge of a motor, he was not drunk. In the circumstances I think the constable's action was justified, and it is not proposed to give compensation.