HC Deb 22 February 1951 vol 484 c1441
43. Mr. Hollis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions he has given to the Metropolitan Police to require that citizens must produce their identity cards on demand.

Mr. Ede

Section 6 (4) of the National Registration Act, 1939, requires the holder of an identity card to produce it on the demand of a police constable in uniform. It is not for me to instruct the police as to the circumstances in which this power should be used: it must be left to their reasonable discretion.

Mr. Hollis

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a gentleman recently refused to produce his card on the grounds that he was a member of what he called "The Liberal Party and all that."? Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that the Act of 1950 has made no difference to the obligation under the Act of 1939?

Mr. Ede

This applies quite irrespective of political allegiance.

Mr. Grimond

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what "all that" means?

Mr. Ede

It was not my phrase.