HC Deb 28 March 1939 vol 345 cc1875-6
34. Mr. McGovern

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is prepared to put an end to the housing of untried prisoners, detectives, and police in the same building at the Central Police Station, Glasgow; and whether he is aware that frequent protests have been made against the police having access to the untried prisoners, some of whom are boys, and advising them to plead guilty to offences, on the promise of being liberated as first offenders on probation, and to be detained in custody if they plead not guilty?

Mr. Colville

As the hon. Member is aware, the Criminal Investigation Depart- ment is situated in part of the Glasgow central police office, and the cells are in another part of the building and under the control of another branch of the force. The cells are used only for persons aged 17 or over, and, under Statute, persons detained in them must, wherever practicable, be brought before the court not later than the day following arrest. I am not aware of any protests of the nature referred to in the last part of the question, and I am informed that the chief constable has no knowledge of any such protests or cases. In the circumstances, I do not think it is necessary to alter the present system.

Mr. McGovern

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in a recent High Court case, detectives admitted in the witness box when I was present that they had taken one prisoner from the cells on three occasions and had asked him to make a certain statement without an agent being present, and that numerous such cases have come to my attention; and does he not agree that it is a scandal that these men should be housed in the same building, as the Criminal Investigation Department can go to them at: any time of the night in order to take them from their cells and examine them?

Mr. Colville

If the hon. Gentleman has any evidence of that kind I shall be glad if he will give it to me, but I have not had any such protests.

Mr. McGovern

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that I myself was taken from the cells in the middle of the night in the same way?