HC Deb 01 July 1937 vol 325 cc2129-30
18. Mr. Mander

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now able to make, a statement with regard to the alleged communication by the Manchester police of private information with regard to individuals to the Economic League?

Sir S. Hoare

I am informed that the Manchester Watch Committee, at a meeting held on 24th June, considered the allegations made against certain officers of the Manchester police force of communicating confidential information to the Economic League and unanimously adopted a resolution in the following terms: That the Watch Committee is satisfied that the police files are kept strictly secret, that such files have not been placed at the disposal of the Economic League or any other organisation or person, and that the Com- mittee does not consider that any action on its part is necessary. I am further informed that the Chief Constable, who has, of course, gone into the matter very carefully himself, is satisfied that at no time have there been any improper transactions between his officers and the league and that no official information from the police records has ever been disclosed to the league.

Mr. Gallacher

Are we to take it that the relative of the Cabinet Minister is as unreliable as his relative?