HC Deb 29 March 1962 vol 656 cc129-30W
31. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that on 17th September, 1961, in Trafalgar Square certain policemen dragged some people along by their feet with their heads scraping the street; to what extent the report of the Commissioner of Police deals with this particular incident; and if he will make available to hon. Members a copy of that section of the report concerning the matter.

Mr. R. H. Butler

This allegation, like all specific complaints about the behaviour of the police on this occasion, was fully inquired into by the Commissoner of Police of the Metropolis. I made a full and carefully considered statement on 1st March, to which I do not wish to add except to remind the hon. Member that according to police records only six members of the public sought medical attention, and the injuries in each case were slight. The answer to the last part of the Question is "No".

48. Mr. Marsh

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Report of the Police Commissioner into the behaviour of the police in Trafalgar Square on 17th September refers to any address to the crowd by the Mayor of Greenwich.

Mr. R. A. Butler

No. The Commissioner's report related to the inquiries made into complaints against individual police officers.

50. Mrs. Butler

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a précis of the report of the Police Commissioner into the behaviour of the police in Trafalgar Square on 17th September.

Mr. R. A. Butler

No. The object of the inquiries that have taken place was to establish whether there were grounds for taking action against any member of the Metropolitan police under the statutory provisions governing police discipline. Inquiries of this kind must necessarily be confidential.