HC Deb 23 December 1937 vol 330 cc2137-8
17. Mr. Day

asked the Home Secretary whether persons who are in police custody before being committed to prison are informed that it is not obligatory for them to have their finger prints taken; and on how many occasions the individual's consent has been withheld in the Metropolitan area for the 12 months ending at the last convenient date?

Sir S. Hoare

Yes, Sir; notices to this effect are posted in all police stations and cells in the Metropolitan police district. It is quite exceptional for consent to be withheld, but the exact number of cases could not be ascertained without the examination of a large number of documents.

Mr. Day

In what way is this notification given to juveniles charged at the juvenile courts?

Sir S. Hoare

I cannot say without notice, but I will look into the question.

Mr. Day

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider having this notification brought before the parents of the juveniles concerned?

Sir S. Hoare

I do not know what the circumstances are until I have considered the case.

Mr. McGovern

May I ask whether in all circumstances where finger prints are taken and the individual is afterwards found to have no criminal record and to be not guilty of the offence, the finger prints are then destroyed?

Sir S. Hoare

I could not say without notice.

Mr. Day

May we have an assurance that children's finger prints will not be taken unless the parents have an opportunity of objecting?

Sir S. Hoare

That is really another question, and I cannot answer it in detail without notice.

Mr. Thorne

When these finger prints are taken, can anyone tell whether they are honest or dishonest ones?