§ Mr. HALL-CAINEasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the growing tendency of different chief constables to interpret the law in varying fashion; and whether he will consider the desirability of establishing some central authority which shall be responsible for the uniform interpretation of the law on any police matter?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNo, Sir. I am not aware of any such tendency. It is not within the province of the police to interpret the law. This can be done only by the competent courts. It is, however, the responsibility of the police to enforce the law, and before instituting proceedings it is their duty to satisfy themselves that there isprima facie evidence of the commission of some offence. In cases of doubt, they may have occasion to take legal advice or may consult the Home Office, and from time to time the Home Office issues circulars to chief officers of police explaining the effect of legal decisions or giving advice on questions of administrative policy. But neither the Home Office nor any other central authority could properly be made responsible for exercising functions which ought to be exercised only by a court of law.