§ 18. Mr. R. MORRISONasked the Horne Secretary if he is aware that relatives of persons injured in street accidents within the Metropolitan Police Area are required to pay 5s. to see a copy of the police report and, in view of the hardship which this system entails upon poor persons, will he give instructions that in necessitous cases this charge should not be enforced?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe charge in question is made to cover the cost of searching the records for any relevant entries. It has been the practice for some years to reduce or waive it in cases where the Commissioner of Police considers that to require payment would cause hardship.
§ Mr. MORRISONCould not the sergeants in charge of local stations find a way to avoid the hardship of having to pay this 5s.?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNo, I think he would have to report to his superintendent.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe cost of everything has gone up, including the police rates. I have a good deal of ex- 1061 perience of these cases. They are usually speculative solicitors who ask for these reports.