§ 54. Mr. Pooleasked the Home Secretary under what authority the police of the City of Birmingham affix adhesive paper to private motor cars left in the streets of the city?
§ Sir S. HoareI have made inquiries and am informed that it has been the practice for some years for the police in Birmingham to affix to the tread of one 1614 tyre of a motor car found standing in the streets a small thin piece of easily removable adhesive paper marked with the date and time of affixing, which are also noted in the constable's notebook. This system was adopted with the approval of the watch committee as a means of reducing the nuisance caused by the parking of vehicles in the narrow streets of the city.
§ Mr. PooleMay I ask whether the police have any statutory authority to do this, and is it not an interference with the private rights of citizens?
§ Sir S. HoareNo, Sir. I am told that it is for their convenience. As to statutory power, there is no statutory power against it.
§ Mr. PooleIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that no fewer than 4,717 persons in 1938 suffered convictions through this pernicious, persecuting method of affixing adhesive paper to motor cars which, after all, are the private property of individuals, and will he suggest to the chief constable of Birmingham that the police would be better employed in the detection of real crime, rather than in further harassing a very severely taxed section of the community?
§ Sir S. HoareI will certainly give attention to what the hon. Member has just brought to my notice, particularly as he evidently speaks with great experience. I have no reason to think that there is any feeling of grievance generally in the City of Birmingham on this matter.
§ Mr. PooleIf I supply the right hon. Gentleman with evidence of very considerable grievance, will he consider it?
§ Sir S. Hoare indicated assent.