§ Mr. McGovernasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that untried prisoners at Glasgow central police headquarters are housed in the same building as the criminal investigation department; that numerous cases have come to light in courts where prisoners were taken from their cells and put through cross-examinations without the presence of solicitors, and that a large number of boys have been interviewed in this manner at all hours and advised to plead guilty, failing which they would be kept in the cells for an indefinite period; and will he take steps to see that prisoners are housed in a separate building or have them sent to Barlinnie prison after being charged?
§ Mr. ElliotI am informed that the Criminal Investigation Department is stationed in part of the Glasgow Central Police Office, and that the cells are in another part of the building and under the control of another branch of the force. I am not myself aware of any cases of the kind referred to in the second part of the question, and I am informed that the876W Chief Constable has no knowledge of any such cases. The cells are used only for persons aged 17 or over, and, under Section 23 of the Summary Jurisdiction (Scotland) Act, 1908, persons detained in them must, wherever practicable, be brought before the Court not later than the day following arrest. In the circumstances I do not think it would be desirable to take action on the lines suggested in the last part of the question.