Mr. David Adamsasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the remarks of Mr. Justice Greaves-Lord at Carlisle assizes, on the 26th May, to the effect that he hoped that in future the police, in preparing their records, would not make a record appear long simply by putting into it a number of minor offences which bore no reflection at all upon a man's honesty; and whether he will issue a circular to local watch committees to see that such recommendations are put into practice?
§ Sir S. HoareWhen the jury have found the prisoner guilty and the Court calls on the police for information as to his antecedents, the important point is that the information given shall be full and trustworthy and shall not omit anything which is in favour of the prisoner. How far the Court may want details of previous convictions or may be content with some general statement that there have been previous convictions for minor offences of a different type from the offence before the Court will depend on the circumstances of the individual case. The police are well aware of the general principles to be followed, and I do not think it would be advantageous to attempt to prescribe in detail the form which such statements should take.