10. Mr. WESTasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Albert Burgess, of Ingersoll Road, Shepherd's Bush, who was arrested on a charge of loitering in Holland Park Avenue, taken to a police station, had his finger-prints taken, and placed in a cell; and whether, in view of the dismissal of the case and the humiliation suffered, some recompense can now be made, or apology offered, to the man who has an unblemished character?
§ Sir J. GILMOURBurgess was seen by the police to look into six unattended 1359 motor cars and to try the doors of two of them. In discharging him the magistrate said:
The officers were quite justified in arresting you. If you loiter in such places and try to open the doors of cars, you must expect to be arrested, but I am going to take into account the fact that you have been employed for a long period in the motor trade. Your interest in motor cars may account for your actions.In these circumstances I am satisfied that the police did not in any way exceed their duty and that there is no ground for making any payment.
Mr. WESTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this unemployed young man had only been absent from home thirty minutes, that he had walked a mile, and that the reason for his alleged loitering was that he was ill, as is certified by his doctor? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are a number of such cases in this particular area, and will he cause some further investigation to be undertaken in this case?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI have made very careful investigation, and it is clear that the magistrate when he had the evidence before him made the statement which I have quoted to the House. This man, whatever his state of health may have been, did actually do these things.
§ Mr. T. SMITHCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the police are justified in taking the finger-prints of a man arrested on the street for loitering?