§ 21. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of his letter to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West, dated 23rd December 1974, concerning the circumstances in which a quantity of tins of food were distributed among members of the Gloucestershire, Somerset and Avon police forces, he will arrange for the hon. Member for Newham, North-West to see a copy of the report of the investigation into these matters.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. It is some assistance to me if I can hear the answer. Perhaps the Minister will repeat it.
§ Dr. SummerskillI said, "No, Sir".
§ Mr. LewisWill my hon. Friend explain to me why there has been 671 a delay of almost six months following the admitted declaration that tons of food was ferried by police officers in their police cars, using their car radios to tell their friends and neighbours of the situation and taking tins of food home? It was stealing by finding. Is it now suggested that there were too many police officers involved to enable action to be taken or that the police were willing to take the goods back? Is the Minister prepared to consent to the police taking no action on this matter? Does my hon. Friend think that this is the sort of thing that should be allowed to go on? Will she ask the police authorities to take some action? When the dockers were involved action was taken immediately.
§ Dr. SummerskillDisciplinary proceedings have been instituted against about 40 officers of the Gloucestershire, Somerset and Avon forces on charges of discreditable conduct or neglect of duty. My noble Friend the Minister of State is writing to my hon. Friend to explain the present position. Meanwhile, as disciplinary proceedings are pending and an appeal against any consequent finding of guilt or imposition of punishment will lie with the Home Secretary, it would not be appropriate for Ministers to make any comment at this stage.