§ 38. Mr. LUNNasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the proposed inquiry into methods of administration and other matters connected with the police force will apply to the provincial boroughs and counties as well as to the Metropolitan Police?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir William Joynson-Hicks)Without having come to any definite conclusion, I am disposed to think that the object in view will be best secured by an inquiry as to the practice of the Metropolitan Police in conducting interrogations and taking statements in the course of criminal investigations. Such a reference would, of course, cover investigations undertaken by the Metropolitan Police outside their own area, but I have already promised to consult the other parties as to the terms of reference.
§ Mr. LUNNIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the difference between the administration of police by watch committees in boroughs and the administration of police 'by standing joint committees in county areas; and does he not think that he ought to deal with this matter, not in a piecemeal way, but completely, and as affecting the whole country?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am quite willing, as I say, to consult with the right hon. Gentleman opposite or with the right hon. Gentleman below the Gangway as to the terms of reference. If the hon. Member himself hash Any particular point which he would like to have included, and if he lets me know, I shall be glad to consider it also.
§ Mr. MONTAGUEWill the terms of reference allow of inquiry being made into other incidental considerations with regard to police procedure? For instance, there is the case of the Hyde Park double tragedy, where the widow of the man concerned was told by the police that the man was injured and was then, without a word, taken straight to the hospital mortuary where his body was. Will the inquiry include a case of that kind? It is a shameful case.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have had no details of that case. I suppose the hon. Member refers to a case which has just taken place.
§ Mr. MONTAGUEOn Saturday.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have no details at all. The hon. Member must not ask me questions of that kind without giving me some notice, but I am always willing to get all the information that I can. If he also would like to suggest terms of reference, I shall consider his suggestion, as well as anybody else's suggestions.
§ Mr. MONTAGUEI am sorry if I was out of order in putting that question.