§ 12. Mr. Wedgwoodasked the Home Secretary whether he can extend his assurance concerning the freedom from Fascist influence to the whole of the Metropolitan Police?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI am surprised that by right hon. Friend should think it necessary to ask this Question since he knows, as we all do, that the Metropolitan Police have earned and established a reputation for impartiality, and this Question casts an unmerited slur on them.
§ Mr. WedgwoodIs it not more important to be perfectly certain that the police are free from Fascist influence than that such is the case in any other part of the public services? The right hon. Gentleman has already made a statement about Scotland Yard and about key-men in other Departments; why cannot he make a similar statement about the Metropolitan Police?
§ Mr. MorrisonIf I may say so, with respect to my right hon. Friend, I think that his statement does imply that there may be Fascist influences in the Metropolitan Police. I do not think that there is any basis for that. The people of London have a very high regard for the impartiality and fairness of the Metropolitan Police Force.