§ 41. Colonel BALDWIN-WEBBasked the Home Secretary whether, with respect to his promise to inquire into the practice of police forces throughout the country in charging persons with sleeping out, he will obtain evidence in addition to that of chief constables; and whether he will satisfy himself that dis- 1675 ciplinary action will not be taken against constables who use discretion in the performance of their duties for failing to report trivial incidents or to arrest every person who may be sleeping out?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe chief constable is necessarily in the best position to supply information as to the practice of his own force, but I should of course be glad to consider suggestions from any responsible quarter on this question. As regards the second part of the question, I have no reason to think that constables who exercise a reasonable discretion in this matter incur any risk of disciplinary proceedings being taken against them.