POLICE METHODS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 122, 25 May 1928, Page 7

POLICE METHODS.

THE YARD INQUIRY.

Thorough Investigation Planned

By Cabinet.

THE HYDE PARK CASE.

(Australian Press Assn.—United Service.)

LONDON, May 24.

In the House of Commons yesterday the Home Secretary, Sir William Joynson-Hicks, moved that the inquiry regarding the methods of Stintland Yard be limited to the circumstances of the interrogation of Miss Savidge about the Hyde Park incident.

He explained that the limited inquiry proposed was due to the fact that he appreciated the contention of members of the Opposition that it would be unfair to virtually place Sir Leo Chiozza Money on trial again as the medium of an inquiry into a constable's perjury or otherwise.

Sir William said he did not int.end to say a word in defence of the police. Of course there were two sides to the question and both would be honestly put before the Commission of Inquiry. If the accusations against Scotland Yard officials were proved it would natnrally be detrimental to the force as a whole. Therefore he appealed to members to suspend judgment. The tribunal would consist of Sir John Eidoii Bankes, Lord Justice of Appeal, with Mr.. J. J. Withers, solicitor, Conservative member for Cambridge University, and Mr. H. B. Lees-Smith, Labour member for Keighley, Yorkshire, as commissioners. The Government would pay reasonable expenses on behalf of Miss Savidge, and the police would be represented by counsel.

"This matter has caused me as well as the House some anxiety," said Sir William. "I hope good will come out of the trouble."

Viscountess Astor and Miss- E. C. Wilkinson urged that a woman should be included in the tribunal. An amendment to this effect was mbved, but was withdrawn on the Home Secretary's plea for unanimity. The motion was then agreed to without a division.

The case of Mrs. Beatrice Pace, now under arrest on a charge of murdering her husband, a farmer in the Forest of Dean, was then brought up. Mr. A. W. J. Thorne asked if it was true that the Scotland Yard authorities had subjected the woman to 13 hours' cross-examina-tion at a police station.

Sir William said it was a matter that was not likely to be excluded from the general inquiry into the methods of Scotland Yard.

Mr. Thorne asked who issued "third degree" instructions, Scotland Yard or the metropolitan police? Sir William replied that there were no such instructions. The woman had actually thanked the police for the consideration she had received.

Miss Wilkinson asked if it was reasonable to have kept Mrs. Pace's two children for 13 hours at the police station. The Minister promised to make inquiries into ' the matter.