HC Deb 18 December 1947 vol 445 c389W
121. Earl Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the charges made in some quarters of partiality against the Metropolitan Police in handling street disturbances and the fact that none of them have been accepted by the Courts trying cases arising out of such disturbances, he will issue an order to each division of the Metropolitan Police commending the tact, fairness and moderation shown in dealing with such disorders.

Mr. Ede

While I have hitherto been obliged to refrain from any comment on the conduct of the police in cases which weresub judice, I have kept myself fully informed, and I take this opportunity of expressing my appreciation of the skill, restraint and impartiality with which the Metropolitan Police and the City of London Police have, during recent months, dealt with recurring difficult situations. No complaint of the use of undue violence has been substantiated. My inquiries into conflicting allegations of partiality towards one side or the other have satisfied me that the police have carried out faithfully and without bias their duty of checking disturbances of the peace from whatever quarter those disturbances have arisen.

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