§ 17. Mr. JOHNSTONasked the Home Secretary whether in the execution of a search warrant, it is the practice to secure to the owner or occupier of the premises or the person implicated the attendance of a representative to witness the search, or whether the search is conducted in the presence of a representative of the magistrate who grants the warrant; and, if 2155 not, can he state what protection is afforded to a person in such circumstances?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIn the Metropolitan Police District the general practice in executing search warrants, which are of several kinds, is for the police officer in charge of the matter to ask for the occupier or other person responsible for the premises and acquaint him with the terms of the warrant. No representative either of the owner or occupier of the premises or of the magistrate is required to be present. I do not understand what protection the hon. Member suggests is required in such cases.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIn view of the fact that the Home Secretary's predecessor in office in March, 1921, admitted at that Box that the special branch at Scotland Yard had been engaged in the production and distribution of a forged copy of the "Pravda," does he not think it advisable that in the recent search that took place every precaution should have been taken by his Department to have had a neutral person present at the search?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe hon. Member gave me no notice of this supplementary question. With every desire to remember my predecessor's words, I am unable to remember all that he said in this House, and I have no recollection of the statement referred to.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIf I show the right hon. Gentleman a forged copy of the "Pravda"—I have one in my hand—would he be prepared in future to see that in searches of this nature a neutral person shall be present at the search?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIt may be that the hon. Member has a copy of a forged document in his possession. Of that I know nothing, but I am not satisfied that my predecessor in office admitted that Scotland Yard had produced a forged document, and I should require to be satisfied about that.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIn view of the Debate that is to take place in this House this afternoon, will the right hon. Gentleman, before he speaks, turn up the admission made by Mr. Shortt who was 2156 his predecessor in office in March, 1921, and read the admissions that were then made?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIf the hon. Member will give me the reference to the OFFICIAL REPORT I will look it up.
Mr. BECKETTWere the terms of the original reply as to the production of the warrant observed in the case of the Arcos search?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI think that is a matter which can be argued better in the Debate this afternoon.
§ Mr. HURDIs it not desirable, in the interests of the House, that notice should be given of questions of this sort, so that due inquiries can be made before statements are made of this nature on the Floor of the House?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a matter which is not within my control.