§ 46 and 47. Mr. A. Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what action has been taken to counter gangsters' illegal activities in the protection and blackmail racket in the East End of London, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what report he has received from the Commissioner of Police into the investigations carried out by Detective Chief Superintendent Fred Gerrard, head of No. 3 District Criminal Investigation Department, into activities of a team of East End gangsters connected with the protection racket, blackmail, and other illegal activities; whether he will publish the report; and if he will make a statement.
§ 48. Mr. Liptonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reports he has received from the Metropolitan Police about the intimidation in the form of protection money extorted from club owners in the West End of London; and what action he is taking.
§ Mr. BrookeThe investigation of alleged criminal activities and the taking of appropriate action in connection therewith are matters for the Commissioner of Police, who submits cases as necessary to the Director of Public Prosecutions. He also keeps me informed about the seriousness and incidence of various types of crime in the Metropolis, including the types mentioned.278W It would not be in the public interest to disclose the progress of particular inquiries.