§ 17. Mr. G. Straussasked the Home Secretary whether he will take steps to stop the widespread searches that are being made in the houses of respectable citizens, and the removal of their books and papers without adequate excuse or reason?
§ Sir J. AndersonIn time of war it is necessary that the police should be armed with wide powers of search, and, if there are grounds for suspecting some person of acts prejudicial to the public safety, the fact that he has hitherto enjoyed a good reputation is not a reason for refraining from inquiries, which must sometimes include a search of his premises and examination of his papers. Even if the result of the search is to negative the suspicions, it may be right that the search should have been made, if, in fact, there were grounds for such suspicion. In some cases it is not easy for the police to judge whether the information which reaches them ought to be treated as a ground for suspicion, and I appreciate the hon. Member's desire that errors of judgment in assessing or interpreting such information shall not lead to misuse of the police powers. Whenever complaints are made to me, I cause immediate inquiry to be made, with a view to satisfying myself whether the police had reasonable grounds for their action, and if my hon. Friend knows of cases which have not already been brought to my notice, I shall be glad if he will send me particulars. In fairness to the police it should, however, be said that, in many cases, inquiry shows they are carrying out with discretion a task in which the avoidance of grounds for complaint is necessarily extremely difficult.
§ Mr. StraussIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in some of these searches, the police appear to behave quite unreasonably? They take away the minutes of local Labour parties, books written by Members of His Majesty's Government, and, on one occasion, a book written by John Stuart Mill.
§ Sir J. AndersonThere have been cases into which I have made inquiry, and I have taken the action which seemed to be appropriate.