§ 12. Mr. POTTSasked the Home Secretary whether he will make it obligatory upon local police authorities to requisition the aid of Scotland Yard immediately any murder becomes known and the murderer or murderers have escaped detection and arrest, such Home Office order to be applicable to the United Kingdom?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe existing arrangement whereby chief officers of police are able to obtain the services of Metropolitan Police officers in eases of serious crime are well understood and working satisfactorily, and I see no reason for any change of practice.
§ Mr. POTTSIs it not the fact that, in some cases, Scotland Yard has had to be called in, but only after much delay, and there has been great difficulty on that account in capturing the murderers?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am aware that, as a rule, Scotland Yard is only called in when cases of difficulty arise, but I must leave it to the discretion of the local police, who are under the control of the Watch Committee of their district and the Standing Joint Committee.
§ Mr. R. MORRISONIs it not the case that many of these cases are rendered more difficult by the fact that so much time elapses before Scotland Yard 572 is called in, and that the circumstances are rendered more difficult to investigate?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI think I should be prepared to admit that.