§ 61. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will ensure that disciplinary action is taken against those officers of the Metropolitan Police who refuse to carry out the enforcement of the law at the request of the general public when evidence is supplied to them of the breaking of the law.
§ Mr. SharplesThe Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis is responsible for the operational and disciplinary control of his force.
185W
§ 63. Mr. Douglas-Mannasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action has been taken by the Metropolitan Police Force when summoned to the scene of evictions when the residential occupier is still in operation at the time of arrival of the police, and when the occupiers have been compelled to vacate the premises shortly before the police arrive.
§ Mr. SharplesThe function of the police in either event is to prevent breaches of the peace, to make such investigations as are possible on the spot into possible criminal offences, to warn those concerned of possible offences under the Rent Act, 1965, and to report on any such offences to the local authority.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the difference in the treatment by the Metropolitan Police of different classes of offence and different sections of the population, he will seek powers to enable him to give directions to the Metropolitan Police on these matters.
§ Mr. SharplesNo.