Mr. Gerald Donnelly (Arrest)

HC Deb 27 January 1966 vol 723 cc385-6

30. Mr. Raphael Tuck

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up a local inquiry into the actions of the police at Reading in detaining in a cell for 22 hours Mr. Gerald Donnelly, pursuant to a speeding offence.

Mr. George Thomas

No, Sir. The Reading police, as they were under a duty to do, arrested Mr. Donnelly in pursuance of a warrant issued by the Sheriff in Glasgow and detained him until he could be handed over to an escort from Glasgow. The circumstances in which the warrant was issued were explained by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland in reply to a Question by the hon. and learned Member for Edinburgh, Pentlands (Mr. Wylie) on 2nd December.

Mr. Tuck

Is my hon. Friend aware that when this man, who had pleaded guilty to a driving offence, was ninemonths later, without receiving a summons, asked to go to the police station, he went at once, was unceremoniously thrown into a cell, was not allowed to shave, had to sleep in ordinary clothes and was kept there for 22 hours? If this is the administration of justice in our civilised free country, does not my hon. Friend think that it is about time something was done about it, and what does he intend to do?

Mr. Thomas

The Reading police were executing a warrant. I understand that under Scottish law there is no provision for bail for the person concerned. The English procedure under which a warrant is endorsed—that bail should be allowed for the appearance of the accused in court—is unknown in Scotland. The Reading police had simply to carry out the terms of the warrant.

Mr. Thorneycroft

Without going into the details of this case, is not the question of these warrants something which the Home Secretary should look into as in all parts of the House there is increasing concern about what is happening in these cases?

Mr. Thomas

I think the right hon. Gentleman may be assured that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland is looking at this question. An Answer was given on 22nd December and concern expressed by the right hon. Gentleman is shared by a great many of us that this incident should have occurred.