ARRESTS, EMPIRE EXHIBITION. (Hansard, 12 July 1938)

HC Deb 12 July 1938 vol 338 cc1093-4 1093

§ 21. Mr. McGovern
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of persons arrested in the Empire Exhibition grounds since the opening in May and the nature of the offences, respectively; whether he is aware that arrested persons are conveyed to Govan police station, where the officer in charge has no power to grant release on payment of bail; that the arrested persons are conveyed to the central police station during the early hours of the morning after the charge, thereby causing detention for many hours when they were due to be released on bail; that agents and friends are prevented from getting into communication with arrested persons; and whether he will, in conjunction with the authorities, secure the conveyance of prisoners to the central police station immediately they are arrested?

§ Mr. Colville
As the answer is a long one, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

§ Mr. McGovern
Can the Secretary of State say whether the answer gives any indication that prisoners in future will be taken direct to the Central prison and will be allowed bail at the earlier possible moment?

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§ Mr. Colville
The answer goes fully into the point which the hon. Member raises. Perhaps he will look at it and then, if it is necessary, ask a further question.

§ Mr. Day
Are these prisoners conducted in prison vans or marched through the streets?

§ Mr. Colville
In vans.

§ Following is the answer:

§ One hundred and thirteen persons have been arrested in the Exhibition. This number includes 77 for being drunk and incapable, 18 for breach of the peace, 9 for theft; 3 for being known thieves loitering with intent, 3 for assault, 2 for indecent exposure, and 1 for fraud. Seventy-one of the persons arrested were taken in the first instance to Govan Police Station, and the remainder to the Central Police Station. The officer in charge at Govan has power to liberate on bail. Four of the persons taken to Govan were so liberated and the remainder, who were at the time unfit for liberation because of drink, were transferred to the Central Police station. The transfers take place between midnight and 2 a.m. Agents are allowed to interview prisoners at any hour at which they apply for permission to do so, while visits from friends are allowed at the discretion of the officer on duty. As regards the last part of the question, I am informed that it would not be practicable to provide a police vehicle to take each person upon his arrest direct to the Central Police Station. In any case no such action appears to be called for.