HC Deb 29 July 1913 vol 56 cc282-3
34. Captain FABER

asked the Home Secretary whether, seeing that cases have occurred where girls have been, forcibly induced to enter motor cars with unknown women, even in the presence of policemen, he will issue an Order that any policeman having such a case brought to his notice should accompany the women to any address that is given, in order to satisfy himself that it is a genuine case?

Mr. McKENNA

The Commissioner or Police informs me that no such incident as that described in the question has come to the knowledge of the Metropolitan police, and any constable witnessing it would certainly intervene. If, however, the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of the cases to which he refers, I will have the closest inquiries made. I should like to take this opportunity of saying that many tales of a similar character have been circulated in London, but in no case have the police been able to find the least evidence of their truth.

Mr. FELL

Is a policeman permitted to leave his beat in a suspicious case of this kind?

Mr. McKENNA

I can assure the hon. Member that there is no truth at all in the particular case to which I imagine he refers.

Mr. FELL

Can a policeman leave his beat in a suspicious case?

Mr. McKENNA

Oh, yes; certainly.