HC Deb 10 February 1944 vol 396 cc1888-9
26. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that ex-constable Perrins was dismissed from Ipswich police force in October, 1941, arising out of charges of theft made by the chief constable; that Perrins emphatically denied these charges, of which no proof was ever offered; that since that time he has tried by every, means to get the matter considered in an open public court; and will he give this man the right to clear his character from these charges.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Herbert Morrison)

After an investigation by the watch committee of a disciplinary charge against Mr. Perrins, the committee found the charge proved and called upon him to resign. He appealed against the decision and I arranged for an inquiry to be held by an experienced barrister and one of the inspectors of constabulary. At this inquiry, which took the form of a re-hearing of the charge, Mr. Perrins was represented by counsel. After considering the report of the inquiry I dismissed the appeal. Subsequently, Mr. Perrins applied to the divisional court for leave to apply for an order of certiorari, and his application was refused. I am quite unable to accept the statement that no proof was offered to support the charges, and there is no further action I can take.

Mr. Gallacher

In view of the experience of the John Syme case, would the Minister not consider that this man, who has a charge of theft placed against him, should have been tried in an open public court, instead of the responsibilities and duties of the public court being taken over by the watch committee? Will he not now try to give this man the elementary right of public trial, on the charge of theft made by the chief constable?

Mr. Morrison

I have no power to order a public trial. The matter was one for the watch committee and the point is one which watch committees should take into account. In fact, there was an inquiry, in which he did not succeed, and he made an appeal to the divisional court on an issue related to the point which my hon. Friend has raised. In the divisional court his case failed.

Mr. Gallacher

Has not the Minister power over a watch committee that takes upon itself the rights of judge, jury, etc., and constitutes itself a secret court?

Mr. Morrison

No, Sir. The hon. Member will learn one of these days that this country is largely run by local self-government and not by the dictatorship of Ministers. This is a democratic country, a fact of which the hon. Member takes full advantage.

Mr. Gallacher

In view of that appalling answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question on another occasion.