HC Deb 24 November 1960 vol 630 cc1279-80
1. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will impress upon the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis the undesirability of sending police dogs to political or trade union meetings.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. David Renton)

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his Question on 27th October.

Mr. Allaun

Is the Minister aware that police dogs were sent to a printing works in London during the newspaper strike, to an anti-H-bomb demonstration in Whitehall, to a Stockport engineering factory during the recent apprentices dispute, and to a building trade union meeting near Manchester? While the Minister may reply that the provinces are outside his control, does he not think that he could find some way of dropping a hint to chief constables to the effect that he considers this a very provocative business?

Mr. Renton

I am not aware of police dogs having been sent on the occasions to which the hon. Gentleman refers, and, of course, I can only reply for what happens in the Metropolitan Police District, where it is not the Commissioner's policy to send dogs to political or trade union meetings.

Mr. John Hall

In view of the nature of the meetings which these dogs have attended, may I ask my hon. and learned Friend whether the R.S.P.C.A. has made any complaints?