§ 23. Sir John Mellorasked the Lord Privy Seal why eight men, who were detained in connection with losses of property from the Festival of Britain South Bank Exhibition, were not prosecuted.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Geoffrey de Freitas)I have been asked to reply. I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that Metropolitan Police records show four cases involving eight men to which the hon. Member may be referring. In one case involving two men further inquiries disclosed no evidence of a criminal offence. In two other cases five men were detained in connection with loss of property belonging either to the Festival authorities or a contractor who did not however wish to prosecute. In a fourth case of larceny a man was prosecuted.
§ Sir J. MellorHaving regard to what the hon. Gentleman says, have not the efforts of the police to protect property been rather frustrated by the reluctance of the Festival authorities to prosecute offenders?
§ Mr. de FreitasNo, Sir.
§ 79. Sir J. Mellorasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has now completed his investigation of 5 the losses of property from the Festival of Britain South Bank Exhibition and Pleasure Gardens; and with what result.
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Ede)I hope the House will allow me to explain that this Question was wrongly transferred to me from my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal, but I am now answering it for him.
My right hon. Friend is not carrying out any investigation of losses of property, as such, on the South Bank or in the Festival Pleasure Gardens. In the latter instance, Festival Gardens Limited have, at his request, as he has previously informed the House, initiated a thorough investigation by chartered accountants, in the course of which points relating to losses of property may emerge. In both cases strict measures are, and have been, enforced for preventing losses of property and for dealing with any instances that come to light from time to time.
§ Sir J. MellorWhen will it be possible for the House to be informed of the extent of the loss, the value of the property lost and the number of convictions obtained?
§ Mr. EdeI know that my right hon. Friend is expecting the Report from the accountants in a very short time now.
§ Mr. Duncan SandysCan we take it that this Report will be published and will be available to the House very shortly?
§ Mr. SandysWas not a promise given to the House that it would be published?
§ Mr. EdeI am informed that it was not, but I know that my right hon. Friend has this question very much in mind.
§ Mr. SandysIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the whole debate on this question has been postponed in order that the House might be in possession of the Report before the debate took place? Surely he is not telling us now that the Report will not be published?
§ Mr. JenningsDoes the right hon. Gentleman not agree that it is the duty of the Government to publish this Report as soon as possible?