§ 70. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the recent case of mistaken identity wherein an officer in the Army was wrongfully charged with a serious offence, and what action is being taken 1832 with regard to the comment of the Recorder as to the need of a searching inquiry with regard to the alleged improper treatment which the officer received at the police station when the charge was preferred against him?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir William Joynson-Hicks)I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on Thursday last to the hon. Member for the Western Isles Division.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWill the inquiry be public and will the evidence be given on oath, and will it be confined to this particular case or will it be a general inquiry on the whole subject?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSQuestion 73 has almost the same bearing as the supplementary question of my hon. Friend.
§ 73. Colonel DAYasked the Home Secretary if he will take the necessary action to have the forthcoming inquiry into the wrongful arrest, detention and imprisonment of Major Robert Osborne Sheppard, D.S.O., on 27th June last, held in public?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have not yet been able to see my right hon. and learned Friend, but I hope to do so to-day when I shall be in a position to> make a statement with regard to the inquiry to be held into this matter.
§ Colonel DAYWill the police officers have the opportunity of being legally represented before this inquiry?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSYes, I can convey that assurance.