§ 52. Mr. Hydeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Sam v. Cluney and Others, in which judgment was given by Mr. Justice Cassels in the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court on 1st February, 1956; and whether, in view of the findings in this case, he will issue instructions to the Metropolitan Police to discontinue the practice of frequenting public lavatories in plain clothes for the purpose of acting as agents provocateurs towards suspected homosexuals.
§ Mr. DeedesNo Metropolitan Police officers were involved in the case to which my hon. Friend refers. My right hon. and gallant Friend completely rejects the suggestion that it is the practice of members of the Metropolitan Police to act as agents provocateurs in carrying out duties which, though distasteful, are essential for the preservation of public order and decency.