§ 31. Mr. Fletcher-Cookeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the annual subscription from the United Kingdom to the international police organisation, known as Interpol, has doubled in the last two years.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeThe annual subscription of this country to the International Criminal Police Commission, which had remained unchanged since 1948, has, in common with that of other member States, been doubled for 1954. Previously, two of the member States had borne a disproportionate share of the expenses of the commission, which have increased as a result of the greater use made of the organisation and of improvements in its technical equipment.
§ Mr. Fletcher-CookeWill my right hon. and gallant Friend give us a little more information about the International Police Commission? What is its statutory power, who has access to its dossiers and what sort of democratic control can be exercised over it?
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeI cannot go into that now. This is an arrangement which is of immense value to the police of all 1399 member countries. In these days of quick transport I think the House will agree that it is of value to have an exchange of information between police forces for the prevention of crime.
§ Mr. Hector HughesDoes not experience show that this great organisation is worth every penny that is paid for it, in view of the great service which it renders to the community?