§ 30. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why a number of Cypriots including two priests were interrogated by officers of the Metropolitan Police on 9th and 10th May; if he is aware that premises were searched and documents removed without a search warrant being produced; and what steps he proposes to take.
§ Mr. DeedesA number of Cypriots were interviewed by police officers in the course of inquiries on 9th and 10th May. My right hon. and gallant Friend is informed that such searching as took place was done with the consent of the persons interviewed, and in one case some documents were taken away for examination with the approval of the owner. No action on my right hon. and gallant Friend's part is called for.
§ Mr. RobinsonWhilst acknowledging that the police behaved quite courteously in these interrogations, may I ask the Joint Under-Secretary to say what necessity justified the interrogation of British subjects who have lived in this country for twenty years and never come into conflict with the law, and who were asked such questions as how many firearms they possessed?
§ Mr. DeedesI cannot give the reasons for action taken by the police in the execution of their duty. As the hon. Member has conceded, the police acted properly in the performance of their duty.