HC Deb 23 March 1939 vol 345 cc1447-8
51. Mr. J. Hall

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will indicate the reasons for which he has refused to recommend the payment of compensation to two men who, at the West London Police Court on 27th September, 1938, were charged with stealing bags of flour, when one of them was sentenced to three months' hard labour but was released on appeal, while the other was remanded in custody but subsequently granted a free pardon; and whether he has taken into consideration the ignominy and loss of wages suffered by the men concerned?

The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to a question by him on the same subject on 23rd February last. My right hon. Friend can assure the hon. Member that he took into account all circumstances which it was proper for him to consider, but he would not be justified in authorising any payment to the men concerned unless it were clearly established that their chargeing or conviction was due to some culpable error or to some misconduct on the part of the police. In the present instance the police would have been guilty of a dereliction of duty if they had not brought the charges and no question of payment arises.

Mr. Hall

Is it not a fact that these two men were found to be innocent, and should not some consideration be given to them in view of what they have endured?

Mr. Lloyd

We cannot proceed on the basis that compensation should be payable to people who are properly charged and are found innocent afterwards.