§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why, in the case of Mr. Tarlock Singh Mittu, the three detectives who were tried and found not guilty of blackmail were later compelled to resign; and on what grounds they were compelled to do so.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe three police officers resigned voluntarily on 8th February 1971, and in these circumstances disciplinary charges which had been preferred against them were not proceeded with.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish Superintendent John Mellor's report into the Tarlock Singh Mittu case, or place a copy in the Library.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesIt was not Superintendent Mellor who reported on the thorough investigation carried out into Mr. Mittu's allegations. In accordance with an accepted principle of long standing the Commissioner does not propose to publish the report completed by the senior officer of the Metropolitan Police who carried out the investigation.
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§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the happenings since the investigation and report by Superintendent John Mellor into the Tarlock Singh Mittu case, including the payment of £5,500 to Mr. Tarlock Singh Mittu, he will now cause a further investigation to be made into all aspects of this case.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesNo.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department from what fund the £5,500 paid by Scotland Yard to Mr. Tarlock Singh Mittu was drawn.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe Metropolitan Police Fund.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in addition to the return of the £5,500 by the Metropolitan Police to Mr. Tarlock Singh Mittu, he will repay the legal costs incurred by this man.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe question of costs remains outstanding, but the Commissioner expects that when details are made known to him by Mr. Mittu's legal advisers the costs will be either agreed or taxed and then paid.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason Scotland Yard has paid £5,500 to Mr. Tarlock Singh Mittu; whether this was in repayment of money alleged to have been taken from him in 1969; and if he will take action to increase this sum for loss due to inflation and investment income since 1969.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe £5,500 was paid by the Commissioner in response to a civil claim which was lodged on behalf of Mr. Mittu. The amount was agreed to by the plaintiff and his legal advisers, and the Commissioner's responsibility was, therefore, to pay that sum.