§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many charges have been brought in London under the Vagrancy Acts since the start of the coal mining industrial dispute against individuals collecting money for the miners' solidarity fund; and in how many cases the defendants have been found guilty.
§ Mr. HurdThe Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that no such charges have been brought.
§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if receipts are provided when moneys collected in London for the miners' solidarity fund are confiscated by the Metropolitan police; and what procedures are followed to record delivery of the money to police stations.
§ Mr. HurdWhen property (including cash) is taken into the possession of the police for evidential purposes, a receipt is provided if requested. But where the property has been taken into possession in the street, there may be practical difficulties in providing a receipt there and then —for example, if the property includes a large quantity of coins which need to be counted. Depending on the circumstances, the person from whom the money has been taken would normally be invited to go to the police station to witness the counting of the money and either to countersign the relevant entry which has to be made in station records, or to be given a receipt.