POLICE METHODS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 23 July 1928, Page 7

POLICE METHODS

CONDUCT OF INVESTIGATIONS. NEW INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, July 20. The House of Commons to-day considered the reports of the tribunal, which inquired into the interrogation by the police at Scotland Yard or Miss Irene Savidge following the dismissal of the Hyde Park case against her and Sir Leo Chiozza Money. The tribunal delivered two reports, a. majority report signed by Sir John Bankes (a former, judge), and Mr. Withers (Conservative member of Parliament), and a minority report signed by Mr. Lees Smith (Labourite member of Parlia; ment). The majority report expressed the view that while no coercion was used in the interrogation, which was in accordance with the usual police practice; that practice should be amended so that when the character of the witness interrogated was involved, he or she should be duly informed beforehand ol the nature of the interrogation and of possible consequences. The minority report, which expressed dissatisfaction with the whole manner of the interrogation, recommended an exhaustive ipquiry into the methods of police administration.

Sir Wi.liam Joynson-Hicks. the Home Secretary, stated during the debate that, the Government was bound to accept the findings of the majority, but he had decided to appoint a Royal Commission, to which every point raised in tlu 1 minority report would be fully referred Meanwhile lie had given instru tions amending the police procedure in the way suggested in the majority report.

SUMMARY OF NEW INSTRUCTIONS. ’

(Australian Press Association —United Service.) LONDON, July 21. Tim new instructions were as follow; Where a case involves the reputation >f a prison from whom a statement is taken the matter must first be referred to Scotland Yard. Instructions must be given to the officer taking the statement how the statement is to he taken. A witness must clearly be informed of the nature of the statement and warned of any possible consequences. • Wliere the person interrogated is a woman a policewoman must he present unless the woman expressly objects. The Minister said the new rules were proiisional, as the whole matter would go before the Koval Commission, which would frame the terms. The order in which the Ho questions included in the whole of Mr. Lees Smith’s minoritv report should be discussed had beyn definitely settled. He had not considered an ex gratia payment to 'Miss Savidge, but had arranged for her expenses to be paid. The whole relationship between the Director of Prosecution and the police, would be considered; indeed, every point raised in the two reports would be exhaustively investigated. The majority report was then adopted bv 211 votes to 63.