§ 41. Mr. THURTLEasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a recent case in London in which a man charged with loitering with felonious intent was acquitted by the magistrate and costs were allowed against the police; and whether, in view of this case and of the large number of other 2299 similar cases in which there is failure to obtain conviction, he will advise the Chief Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police that only officers of considerable experience should be sent out on duty in plain clothes or, in cases where officers are working in couples, that at least one officer in each case should have had considerable experience of such duty?
§ Sir J. SIMONI do not know to what particular case the hon. Member refers. As regards the second part of his question, I would refer to the reply which I gave to a question of this subject by the hon. Member for the Central Division of Southwark (Mr. Day) on 6th February.
§ Mr. THURTLEDoes the right hon. Gentleman not feel that cases of arrest of innocent persons should be kept down to the bearest minimum, and will he consult the Chief Commissioner on the point which I put in my question, as to whether inexperienced men are sometimes put on this work?
§ Sir J. SIMONI have already given my attention to this matter, and very full directions have recently been issued by the Commission of Police under which every reasonable precaution is taken to avoid making arrests on insufficient evidence. The Regulations include the selection of men who appear to be suitable men for this work.
§ Mr. DAYDoes the right hon. Gentleman not agree that the men must be inexperienced, considering that over 1,000 people were arrested last year as suspected persons?
§ Sir J. SIMONNo, Sir, I do not agree.