§ 50. Mr. McGOVERNasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any police officers were dismissed from the service of the Lanarkshire Police Force as a result of the recent prosecution of police officers who were alleged to have abused Frank Hillhouse, Cambuslang, in a cell after arrest; whether any were removed from the Cambuslang area; and whether the Lanarkshire Police Force will be reorganised in order to restore public confidence?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir Godfrey Collins)The reply to the first part of the question is that no police officers have been dismissed. With regard to the second part, I am informed that two police officers have been removed from the Cambuslang area. As respects the third part, I am informed that the chief constable does not consider that the reorganisation of the police force is necessary.
§ Mr. McGOVERNCan the right hon. Gentleman tell me whether, arising out of that case, any policemen have been suspended?
§ Sir G. COLLINSNo, Sir, they were not suspended.
§ Mr. BUCHANANHas the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to the sheriff's remarks at the trials, and is it not wise, seeing that the chief constable himself has not thought fit to reorganise the police force, that he should intervene, in view of the sheriff's very pointed remarks at the trial?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThe judgment given by the sheriff was that the case was not proven, and, in view of that statement, I must accept it. As my hon. Friend well knows, the question of discipline in the police force rests entirely with the chief constable.
§ Mr. MAXTONOh, no!
§ Mr. McGOVERNWill the right hon. Gentleman make further inquiries in view of the fact that the two policemen—a, sergeant and a constable—are both out of the force at present, one working with a local joiner, and the other with a garage proprietor; will he make further inquiries 864 to see that the correct information is supplied to the Souse.
§ Sir G. COLLINSTwo police officers have been removed, but I am not certain from the information on inquiries which I made this morning whether they are the two police officers whose conduct was before the sheriff on the 18th January, but, as my hon. Friend wishes to know whether those were the two officers who were before the sheriff, I will make further inquiries. I did so this morning, but I did not do it in time.