§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Home Secretary if he is aware that on Satur- 696W day, 11th March, Mr. Timothy Sheahan, who resides at 6, Grantham Road, Burlington Lane, Chiswick, was arrested by two policemen at about 9.50 and taken to the police station and searched; that £1 and some shillings and a bunch of keys were taken from him, and he was charged as a suspected person on the high road of Chiswick, but was let out on bail on his own surety to appear at the Acton Police Court on 13th March, and was then remanded until 15th March, and he was then discharged; that the man in question has worked for the Metropolitan Water Board for 20 years, and is still working for them; and that he has lived in Chiswick for 25 years, and has never been to any police station or court before; and if he will consider the awarding some compensation to Mr. Sheahan for illegal arrest?
§ Mr. SHORTTFrom the report I have received on this case, it appears that Mr. Sheahan's behaviour was undoubtedly such as to arouse suspicion. It is, of course, impossible for police officers to inquire into the character of a man whose name they do not know, before they arrest him. I am satisfied that the two police officers concerned in this case were justified in making the arrest, and I am unable to authorise any payment from public funds by way of compensation.