STRICT CARE TO BE TAKEN WHEN POLICE EXAMINING WITNESS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6668, 23 July 1928, Page 7

STRICT CARE TO BE TAKEN WHEN POLICE EXAMINING WITNESS

First Consideration Reputation of person SAVIDGE REPORT LEADS TO EOYAL COMMISSION Aust. Press Assn.—United Service. Eeceiycd Sunday, 6.5 p.m. * LONDON, July 21. The House of Commons considered the reports of the tribunal which inquired into the interrogation by the police at Scotland Yarn of Miss Irene Havidge, following the dismissal of the Hyde Park case against her and Sir Leo Money. - - ( The tribunal delivered two reports—a majority report signed by Sir John Bankes, a former Judge, and Mr. Withers, Conservative Member of and a minority report signed by Professor Lees-Smith, . a Labour Member of Parliament. ■The majority report .expressed the ;yicw that while ho coercion was used in the interrogation, which was in accordance with the usual police practice, - that practice should bo amended so -that when the character of the witness interrogated-,was he or; she ' should be duly informed beforehand of the nature of the interrogation and of the'possible consequences. ' . - The minority report, which expressed , dissatisfaction with the whole manner of the interrogation, recommended an exhaustive inquiry into the methods of police administration. Sir William Joynson-Hicks', Homo Secretary, stated at the commencement of the debate that the Government was bound to accept the findings of the fna- . jdrity report. But ke. had. decided' to appoint a'Eoyal Cbmmissiony to whicl .every point raised in the minority report would bo fully referred. • ■ MoauwhUc; he had given instructions amending the police procedure in the ; way suggested in the majority report. These new police instructions were as . follows;- . 1 'Whcrb' a :caso involves the reputa-, tion of a person from whom a statement is taken the matter must first ' be referred to Scotland Yard. Instructions ihust bo given the offi--1 cor- taking the statement how the ~ statement is to bo taken. A witness must clearly bo informOf the nature of the statement and , warned of any possible consequence. Where a person is a' women a ..policewoman must bo present, unless •oitthe'woman expressly objects". Sir W. Joynson-Hicks said the new rules-wore provisional. The whole matter would .go before the Eoyal Commis-sion-which would frame the terms of • an order in which the whole ■of • Professor Lees-Smith's 15 questions should ■•be discussed.■ These had -been definitely settled.— He said he had not considered an ex gratia payment to Miss Bavidge, but; had arranged for her expenses to bo paid, i ‘ ■ ■ - " ’ ’ The whole relationship between 1 the -Director of Prosecutions and the police would b° : considered." Indeed every, point' raised the two reports' would b,e exhaustively investigated. - The majority report was adopted by 211 votes to 63. > 'vr 'f