HC Deb 02 May 1969 vol 782 cc291-3W
Mr. Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) on what date Her Majesty's Government was asked by the United States authorities to investigate the case of Dr. A. E. Laurence;

(2) if he will obtain from the Chief Constable a report stating on what date the search warrant was granted authorising a search of premises at Seven Sisters Road, St. Lawrence, Isle of Wight, belonging to Dr. A. E. Laurence;

(3) in addition to the search carried out on 21st April at Seven Sisters Road, St. Lawrence, Isle of Wight, why a previous search was carried out at that address on 14th April;

(4) in which searches of premises belonging to Dr. A. E. Laurence were members of the Special Branch accompanied by United States agents.

Mr. Callaghan

Dr. Laurence's case was not investigated at the request of the United States authorities, and no United States agents accompanied Metropolitan police officers on the searches of his premises. The police obtained a search warrant relating to the premises at Seven Sisters Road, St. Lawrence, Isle of Wight, on 14th April. A visit to the premises was made on that day with the consent and in the presence of the agent for the premises. The garage and two wardrobes, which were locked, were not searched on this occasion, but were searched on a further visit made on 21st April; Dr. Laurence had by then been informed of the existence of the search warrant and had provided the necessary keys.

Mr. Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why a telephone message to the police by Dr. Laurence's solicitor, details of which have been forwarded by the hon. Member for Lambeth, Brixton, made at 7.15 a.m. on 19th April that he was available to assist, was not given to Dr. Laurence.

Mr. Callaghan

I am informed that Dr. Laurence's solicitor spoke on the telephone to a Streatham C.I.D. officer who passed the message to Kenley police station. The message was given to the officer in charge of the investigation when he came to the station at 10.10 a.m. who passed the message on to Dr. Laurence when he returned to his house at 11.20 a.m. The officer had explained to Dr. Laurence the previous evening that he could get into touch with a solicitor if he wished.