§ Captain W. BENNasked the Home Secretary under what Statute the police have any statutory power to take the finger-prints of prisoners prior to conviction?
§ Sir J. BAIRDThe police have no express statutory authority to take the296W finger-prints of persons in their custody against their will; the statutory provisions for the compulsory taking of fingerprints come into force only after the accused has been sent to prison on remand or otherwise.