§ Mr. J. Patonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has considered the photograph, a copy of which has been sent to him, of a man accused of murder, walking handcuffed to two police officers in what appears to be a public place prior to his first appearance in court; and, as such photographs are undesirable and may on occasion impede the course of justice, if he will take steps to deny photographers such opportunities in future.
§ Mr. EdeI entirely agree that the publication of such photographs is undesirable, not only on general grounds of taste and of the unnecessary pain and distress which they may cause, but also because, as my hon. Friend suggests, they may on occasion hamper the course of justice. Every care is taken by the police to avoid, so far as possible, exposing persons in custody to the public view, but I understand that in the case in question the photograph was taken while the accused was being taken from the police station to the court, which is just across the street.