HC Deb 05 June 1924 vol 174 cc1429-30
10. Captain Viscount CURZON

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the frequent petty and vexatious prosecutions instituted by the Metropolitan police at Mitcham against the drivers of motor vehicles for technical offences, and to the remarks of the Croydon bench on the case of Sir Howard Frank and, more recently, to the remarks of the hon. Member for North Salford (Mr. Tillett) in a recent case; and whether steps can be taken to employ the police more usefully in the detection of serious offences rather than in the detection of purely technical offences where in any Court a caution would in all probability have more effect?

Mr. HENDERSON

I am informed that the police are frequently hampered in their work by the illegibility of the identification marks on motor cars. They are fully justified, in my opinion, in taking measures to render the offence less prevalent, and in this they are generally supported by the magistrates.

Viscount CURZON

Will the right lion. Gentleman answer that part of my question in reference to the remarks made by the hon. Member for North Salford, and is he aware that the police in this particular division are continually bringing prosecutions which are equally continually being dismissed, and that they are very petty and vexatious?

Mr. HENDERSON

I am afraid I have nothing further to add.