HC Deb 19 November 1936 vol 317 cc1905-6
45. Mr. EMMOTT

asked the Home Secretary whether he has now completed his inquiries into the case of Mr. Ernest T. Marriott, of Stockenden, Limpsfield, Surrey, who was charged at the Surrey quarter sessions at Kingston-on- Thames, on 9th July, 1935, with driving a car to the danger of the public, of which charge he was acquitted, was twice subjected to personal search by the police, was deprived of his personal effects, and was then locked up in a narrow cell for nearly three hours; whether he has received an assurance from the officials of the court concerned that this unnecessarily harsh treatment of persons in this position has been discontinued; whether this is the practice normally employed by the police in the treatment of similar cases throughout the country; and, if so, whether he will issue circular instructions to all authorities to ensure its discontinuance and the substitution for it of an uniform practice more proper to such cases?

Sir J. SIMON

As I explained to the hon. Member when he was good enough to communicate with me in July, the particular case to which he called attention raised general questions of procedure in dealing with persons who appear for trial at courts of quarter sessions. In the consideration of this question I have had the co-operation of the Society of Clerks of the Peace of Counties, and this society has brought to the notice of all its members suggestions designed to prevent the recurrence of grounds for complaint. There are still certain details of procedure under consideration, but I hope shortly to be in a position to supplement the action already taken by the society by the issue of a general circular. I should add that the reference in the question to the police is a mistake. The police are not responsible for the custody of persons for trial at courts of quarter sessions.

Miss WILKINSON

Will those improved conditions apply to poor people charged with offences as well as to the owners of motor cars?

Sir J. SIMON

The conditions we are aiming at are conditions which have to be applied to all sorts and conditions of people who happen to get into the clutches of the law.