HC Deb 03 July 1934 vol 291 cc1750-1
31. Captain DOWER (for Mr. STOURTON)

asked the Home Secretary if he can now state the result of the police inquiry concerning the confession of Walter Prince to the murder of Charles Armstrong of Manchester; whether Prince is considered to be in full possession of his faculties; and which police authority has conducted these inquiries?

33. Mr. SUTCLIFFE

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now in a position to state the result of his inquiries as regards the alleged confession by Walter Prince at the Nottinghamshire Assizes of the murder of Mr. Charles Armstrong, of Rusholme, Manchester?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Gilmour)

A medical inquiry has been held into the state of mind of Walter Prince and he has been found to be insane. With regard to his statement that he had been concerned in the murder of Charles Armstrong, a comparison between allegations made by Prince and known facts showed that this statement was false, and Prince has since repudiated any connection with that crime. The responsibility for investigating Prince's statement rests with my Department, but for the purpose of enabling some of his allegations to be checked, certain inquiries were made in Manchester by the Manchester police.