§ 24. Mr. GALLACHERasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the display of a poster outside Nine Elms, London, police station concerning an escaped convict, which poster offers a reward for his recapture and gives the name and address of the man's mother and of certain of his associates; and whether, in view of the humiliation this practice inflicts on innocent people, he will cause it to be discontinued?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Simon)I am obliged to the hon. Member for drawing attention to this matter which had not previously come to my notice. Instructions have been given that the names and addresses of relatives or associates are not to be included in any future notices of this kind which it may be necessary to issue.
§ Mr. GALLACHERIn view of the fact that the man did not live with his mother, and that the mother has suffered very considerably as a result of the publication, would the right hon. Gentleman arrange for a message of some kind to be sent to her by the responsible people?
§ Sir J. SIMONI will look into that. I understand entirely the good feeling behind that suggestion and would like to do it, but I ought to explain that while the police assist in displaying these notices, the police do not draw them up. They are drawn up by the prison authorities, but, whoever it is, the matter must be dealt with.