§ 31. Mr. G. Straussasked the Home Secretary whether the giving of confidential information by the Manchester City Police to officers of the Economic League, as disclosed in a recent case in the High Court, was done with the consent of the chief constable?
§ 35. Mr. Manderasked the Home Secretary whether he has any statement to make with reference to the relations between the police force and private political bodies, as disclosed in recent correspondence between Mr. Baker White, of the Economic League, and Major Hoare; and whether it is permissible for police records of individuals to be open for inspection to an outside political body?
§ Sir S. HoareThe disciplinary authority in the Manchester City Police Force is vested, not in me, but in the Manchester watch committee. I have, however, made inquiry, and am informed by the Chief Constable of Manchester that, at a meeting to be held to-day, the watch committee are considering the question whether any further investigation should he held into the allegations which have been made against members of the Manchester City Police. Pending the result of any investigations made by the watch committee, it would not be proper for me to make any statement. Any unauthorised disclosure by a member of a police force of confidential information would be a breach of discipline, but I must not be taken as accepting the suggestion that there has been any such disclosure by any member of the Manchester Force.
§ Mr. ManderWould the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer specifically the last part of my question, as to whether it is permissible for police records of individuals to be open for inspection to an outside political body?
§ Sir S. HoareThe hon. Member will see, when he reads my answer to-morrow, that I have specifically answered that question.