§ Mr. GALLACHERasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a member of the special branch of the criminal investigation department has been visiting houses in Ash Grove, Southall, making inquiries as to the place of work of a man suspected of being a Communist, and that lie waylaid the man in the early morning on his way to work and tried to-follow him to his place of employment; whether the authorities wished to secure the dismissal of this man for his political beliefs; whether such espionage and intimidation are sanctioned by the Home Office against individuals against whom no criminal charge is projected; and will he cause inquiry to be made into this case with a view to the punishment of those authorising such practices?
§ Mr. LLOYDI am informed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that no police officer has been visiting houses in Ash Grove, Southall, although police inquiries have been made in that neighbourhood during the course of which a man was followed. Care was taken by the police to make sure that the employers knew nothing of the matter, and there is no ground for the suggestion that the race action was in any way intimidating or liable to bring about the man's dismissal. The police, in the course of their duty to make inquiries, take every care to avoid prejudicing the interests of the person concerned. There is, of course, no foundation for the suggestion that the police 2965W attempt to affect a man's livelihood because of his political views.