HC Deb 23 November 1943 vol 393 cc1466-7W
Dr. Morgan

asked the Home Secretary what classes of persons have been given power under Regulation 88c to arrest without warrant any person whom they have reasonable ground for suspecting to have committed any of the offences specified; to what extent this power of arrest has been used; and whether he is satisfied that at the present time this exceptional power is necessary?

Mr. H. Morrison

This Regulation empowers any constable, any member of H.M. Forces for the purpose of carrying out his duty as such, and any person authorised by the Secretary of State to arrest without warrant any person whom he has reasonable ground for suspecting to have committed any of the offences specified in the Second Schedule to the regulations. So far as I am aware, no persons have been specially authorised to act under this Regulation. The police are well aware that the powers thus conferred on them are to be used only when really necessary for war purposes, and the circumstances in which they may be exercised by members of the Armed Forces have been carefully defined by official instructions. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the affirmative.

Dr. Morgan

asked the Home Secretary why National Service officers have been given power of arrest without warrant under Regulation 88c; whether they are sworn in as special constables; what other exceptional powers have been granted to them under any Defence Regulation; to what extent these powers have been used; and whether he is satisfied that at the present time such exceptional power is necessary?

Mr. H. Morrison

No powers under Regulation 88c have been conferred on National Service officers, nor are they sworn in as special constables. Under Regulation 84AA a National Service officer, when acting in accordance with the regulation as an operational area defence officer, is empowered to arrest without warrant any person whom he has reasonable ground for suspecting to have committed an offence against that regulation. The Regulation has not yet been brought into operation, but I am satisfied that the exceptional power above described should continue to be held in reserve.

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