HC Deb 08 December 1955 vol 547 cc543-6
24. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of allegations recently made about the conduct of the police, and in order to allay suspicions respecting their integrity, he will cause a public inquiry to be made, both in the interests of the force and the public.

40. Mr. Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that there is public disquiet at the allegations made of bribery and corruption among certain London policemen; and whether, in order to allay public anxiety and to satisfy the honour and dignity of the police force, he will cause a public inquiry to be held into the existing vice and other rackets prevalent in London, and the allegations made against the police.

Major Lloyd-George

I regret that anxiety should have been caused by statements of a general nature which are quite unwarranted, but this is no reason for holding a roving inquiry into the general conduct of the Metropolitan police, a force of which this country is justly proud.

Mr. Shinwell

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that, far from making any allegations against the conduct of the police, I regard them as being, on the whole, a well-behaved and responsible body of people? In view of recent incidents which have caused some public disquiet, however, if the right hon. and gallant Gentleman does not see his way to causing a public inquiry to be made, will he himself institute Departmental inquiries and afterwards report the facts to the House so far as he is able?

Major Lloyd-George

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, this matter has already been the subject of inquiry. What I meant in my answer is that sweeping and grossly inaccurate statements were made about the force in general, whereas the actual inquiry concerned only a small number of people. That inquiry has been carried out and certain steps have been taken, as the right hon. Gentleman knows. I do not think it is right that we should have general public inquiries into all statements, however ludicrous, which are made.

Mr. Shinwell

Was not the recent inquiry conducted by the Commissioner of Police? Surely he ought to go a step beyond that. Will not the Minister himself take charge of such an inquiry, or appoint an impartial person to conduct it and, so far as is practicable, then report to the House, in order to remove any disquiet that exists?

Major Lloyd-George

Naturally want to remove any disquiet that may exist. At the same time, I have a certain responsibility in this matter. The disciplinary head of the police force is the Commissioner. Upon the receipt of a complaint, the first step taken is an inquiry by the Commissioner. That was in fact carried out. I am satisfied that the allegations—which were grossly distorted—have, as a result of that inquiry, been very fully investigated, and the steps taken have been to my entire satisfaction.

Mr. Lewis

If the Minister will not agree to a general inquiry, will he agree to one in relation to the West Central Police Station? Is he aware that many policemen on the beat would welcome an inquiry? I think I am also correct in saying that the Police Federation itself would not be against such an inquiry in regard to that station.

Major Lloyd-George

Here again I am bound to come back to this Press statement. The hon. Member speaks as though he believed the original statement made in the newspaper about C Division, in which is was said that 450 men were to be transferred. I am not sure that that number is not greater than the whole strength of C Division. The fact is that the report to which I have referred concerned eight people. The matter has been fully investigated, and that was the whole basis of the article which made such sweeping statements.

37. Mr. Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the statement made by the Commissioner of Police on Thursday, 1st December, concerning the investigations into allegations of bribery and corruption among certain London policemen, carried out by Superintendent Hannam, was made with his authority: and whether he will make a statement.

Major Lloyd-George

The Commissioner's statement was made with my authority and I do not think I can usefully add to it.

Mr. Lewis

Will the Home Secretary consider putting Superintendent Hannam's Report in the Library for the convenience of hon. Members?

Major Lloyd-George

No, Sir—certainly not. It would be quite impossible to have police reports put in the Library of this House.

38. Mr. Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give details of the petitions he received from prisoner Joseph Grech making charges and allegations of bribery and corruption against certain police officers; what action he has taken; and whether he will make a statement.

Major Lloyd-George

The statements made in petitions by Joseph Grech were referred to the Commissioner of Police for investigation. The substance of the allegations and the results of the investigation were given in the Commissioner's statement of 1st December, and I have nothing to add to it.

Mr. Lewis

Was any opportunity given to this prisoner to add to his written information by obtaining the services of counsel and getting legal advice? Did he ask for it, and, if he had done so, would it have been granted?

Major Lloyd-George

If the hon. Member wants details he should put down a Question.

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