HC Deb 21 May 1936 vol 312 cc1349-50
23. Mr. MATHERS

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the statement by the Commissioner of Police in the Metropolitan Area that the police are bound to continue to secure evidence against suspected clubs by themselves drinking and gambling until they have seen and heard enough to justify an application for a search warrant; and whether he will take steps to end this practice by introducing into his promised clubs legislation a provision giving the police the right of entry into all clubs under proper safeguards?

22. Mr. HOPKIN

asked the Home Secretary whether, in framing his clubs legislation to be introduced next year, he will take into account the recommendation of the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police in his annual report that all clubs should be registered and the police given the right of entry?

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

I intend to take all relevant matters into account in this connection.

Mr. MATHERS

Can the right hon. Gentleman do anything to mitigate the circumstances in the meantime?

Sir J. SIMON

I do not quite understand what the hon. Member means.

Mr. MATHERS

The practice that is going on in the meantime is an objectionable one. Is there any action the right hon. Gentleman can take to prevent what is being done now?

Sir J. SIMON

I think that the Commissioner of Police must in this matter be allowed discretion. He is only endeavouring to administer the law.

Mr. THORNE

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is more gambling done in private houses than there is in these clubs?

Sir J. SIMON

I am not myself aware of it.

Mr. H. G. WILLIAMS

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any communications on this subject from the Club and Institute Union, strongly protesting against giving the police the right of entry into clubs, and that most of the clubs affiliated to this union are Radical and Labour clubs?