HC Deb 11 March 1976 vol 907 cc612-3
15. Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many policemen in the Metropolitan Police District were convicted of criminal offences in each of the past four years; how many were acquitted; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

I understand that the number of Metropolitan Police officers convicted of criminal—other than traffic—offences in each of the four years since 1972 was 11, five, eight and 12 respectively, and that the number acquitted was seven, 16, seven and six respectively.

Mr. Corbett

Does my right hon. Friend consider it wise that the Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police, on 25th February on a public occasion, should have gone out of his way to draw attention to what he considered to be an unsatisfactory conviction rate for officers of the Metropolitan Police charged with criminal offences, especially as at that time he must have had knowledge that 48 hours later summonses were to be taken out against 12 senior Metropolitan Police officers on corruption charges in connection with the pornography trade in the West End of London? Does not my right hon. Friend think that that comes pretty close to criminal contempt?

Mr. Jenkins

No, I certainly do not take that view, though I have already indicated in answer to an earlier Question what I regard as my respect for the Commissioner's right to speak his mind freely, and my right not to have to comment every time he does so. My hon. Friend has been pressing strongly for some action in this respect. It has been taken. I do not think that there is any danger of a fair jury trial being prejudiced.

Mr. Tebbit

Would it not be better if we could all leave the Commissioner, who is a remarkably fine policeman, to make his controversial statements, which are needed in our public life, and for each of us not just to pick on the statements that we do not like on which to raise our rows here? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has at least my support in standing up for this man?

Mr. Jenkins

I think that I can stand up for him even without the support of the hon. Gentleman. No doubt he is right in saying that we all have our differing views. I do not recall the hon. Gentleman being particularly enthusiastic about the Commissioner's view on capital punishment.

Mr. Stonehouse

Is there not a very important point of principle involved here? If it is right for Sir Robert Mark to make controversial political speeches, why should not every other public servant or senior civil servant make political speeches as well? What Sir Robert Mark was making was a highly controversial political speech attacking the jury system of this country, and surely it is improper for a public servant to do just that in a political context?

Mr. Jenkins

I do not agree that the position of the Commissioner of Police is or ever has been analogous to that of a civil servant.

Mr. Hardy

Does my right hon. Friend agree that by and large we have an excellent police force and that it needs to be maintained in excellence and needs to be seen to be maintained in excellence?

Mr. Jenkins

Yes. My hon. Friend puts the matter extremely accurately and succinctly.

Mr. Body

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has not answered the third part of the Question, namely, whether he will make a statement? Could he not make a statement on the behalf of the police to the effect that the figures that he has given are neither serious nor significant?

Mr. Jenkins

I should have thought that it was abundantly obvious from my replies to the previous supplementary questions that I have made any statement that I propose to make on this matter.