HC Deb 19 November 1925 vol 188 cc558-60
25. Mr. HAYES

asked the Home Secretary what stops have been taken arising out of the inquiry into the arrest of Major Sheppard; whether the charge was subsequently laid against any other person; and, if so, with what result?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

The attention of all ranks of the Metropolitan Police has been drawn to the existing Regulations for the protection of persons who are charged or are detained during inquiry; and revised Regulations have been issued to ensure that all such persons shall be informed of their rights (a) to interview friends so far as practicable; (b) to have present at an identification parade a solicitor or friend, and to have the parade conducted under the fairest possible conditions; (c) to object to the taking of finger prints except in the case of persons remanded to prison.

Provision will be proposed in the Criminal Justice Bill for enabling the release on bail of persons charged pending the result of preliminary investigation. I might add that a new Clause will be proposed in another place, because it was not possible to put down a new Clause here in time.

A disciplinary inquiry has been held into the action taken by the several officers concerned in the case, and I understand that the result is about to be made known by the Commissioner of Police to the officers concerned. The offence which Major Sheppard was alleged to have committed was doubtless committed by a man who was subsequently convicted of six other offences.

Mr. HAYES

With regard to the last part of the question, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the man was actually charged with the offence for which Major Sheppard was arrested?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

No. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"] Because he has already gone for, I think, six years' penal servitude and three years' preventive detention, and I think that is enough.

Mr. HAYES

May I ask further—

Mr. SPEAKER

There is a very long list of questions.

Mr. HAYES

The second supplementary question I wish to ask is really in the interests of the man himself. It was really a question as to whether the particular man—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"] Have I your permission, Mr. Speaker?

Mr. SPEAKER

I think it would be better to have the question printed.