§ 54. Mr. JOHNSTONasked the Home Secretary whether he has received from a solicitor, acting on behalf of Bernard Arthur Beagle, of 29, Brook Mews, Lancaster Gate, London, a copy of a sworn declaration containing allegations regarding the methods adopted by certain specified officers of police in endeavouring to procure from him incriminatory declarations as to a crime committed on 28th July, 1926; whether he has seen the comments of the learned Magistrate at Marylebone Police Court on the 26th instant, in which the Magistrate announced his intention of assisting this man from the poor box to obtain legal facilities for redress against the police informant; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI received the document in question on Friday last, and at once instructed the Commissioner to institute inquiries. These inquiries are still proceeding, but if the hon. Member will repeat his question on Wednesday or Thursday I shall hope then to be in a position to give him a reply.