§ Mr. William Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether police officers in the Metropolis are authorised under his regulations to photograph participants in political or pseudo-political demonstrations; how the photographs are filed; if he will call for reports from chief constables in the rest of the country as to their instructions 295W and the practice of their forces in this matter; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Ellystan MorganAnybody is entitled to take a photograph of a demonstration in a public place and the taking of photographs by the police is not subject to regulations. Photographs are taken by them for a variety of purposes and the decision whether to take a particular photograph and what to do with it if taken is an operational matter within the discretion of the chief officer of police concerned. I do not believe that it is reasonable to call for reports.