THE POLICE FORCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14209, 4 November 1909, Page 7

THE POLICE FORCE.

f IMPORT OF COMMISSION. ■ >4-k"1 ''''■ -■" ' « CREDIT TO THE DOMINION" . ff ~ SOME BLACK SHEEP. ■ *.*. CASES OF DRUNKENNESS. POLITICAL INFLUENCE AT 'Z . WORK. - JJEEJD FOR REORGANISATION. . ;■.:■■'[EX TELEGRAPH.— ASSOCIATION.] •V v.,,<' Wellington*, Wednesday. . The report of the Commissioner (Mr. H. ' -,;."W. Bishop, S.M.) appointed to inquire ■ -v into the condition of the police force of _ the Dominion was laid on the table of the House of Representatives to-day. The following is a summary of the re- :> commendations and findings — -'"Closer supervision of the training depot ' tat night is required. ■- $Jr. Fuller inquiry should be made into the *\. antecedents of men joining the force, the 's probationary period should be extended = : to three months, and married probation- .■.-'*- ers should be paid 7s 6d per day. ~ -}y. No recruit, should bo finally enrolled i until he has completed three months' pro./,'bation.

'•For service on the streets pay should \ ; : commence at 8s a day and bo increased .by increments of 6d a day every three "'years until it roaches 9s 6d. Senior constables should receive 10s a N ;,«]ay. -

•:,.:. There should be some degree of elasticity regarding educational qualifications by allowing a man who lias not passed the

7i-fifth standard to wait on the Commissi sioner of Police, with a. view to satisfying f him as to the extent of his education and his suitability for the force. ll Positions should not be "offered" to men.

Weekly classes should be held for all men having less than two years' service.

The conduct generally of the men has been good.

The Comkiissioner \s convinced, that a good deal of drinking goes on amongst the younger men. Cases of drunkenness have been dealt with far too leniently.

As to morality, there is little to cavil at. , ' " - "}' ~S ."

The Commissioner considers that a certain amount of political influence has been used in* regard to the enrolment of members.

The idea of sectarian or Masonic influence is scouted by the Commissioner.

, There is discontent in the force in regard to promotions. No constable should •be promoted to the rank of sergeant after ||* he has passed the age of 45 years.

Station sergeants should be done away with, and replaced by senior sergeants. These and the chief detectives should be eligible for the rank of sub-inspector.

i-s The headquarters' staff should be re- „ placed by Civil servants, and the present 'members,of the staff sent to duty outside. The annual leave should be extended to 15 days. , . -

a Recruits should be instructed in rifle shooting. '■~'"■"■'.;'''• ■■■■'. ."'''''''.'

The Commissioner is not in favour of setting up an appeal board. Travelling allowance should be increased to 8s a day. ' '

Departmental inquiries should be ' conducted on oath. ■

The general conduct of the police is good. . "A number of people," says the

Commissioner, "made complaints of a ! v * more or less serious naturemany of them v. ■were utterly groundless individual members of the force. Any com- ; .m plaints that seemed to me to justify such : /'treatment, I arranged should be inquired ; into Departmentally." THE SECTARIAN BOGEY. ENTIRELY GROUNDLESS. JUT TELEGRAPH. ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Wednesday. By some of the police witnesses the bogey ■of sectarianism has, says Mr. Bishop, been . raised more or less specifically, as was the case before the Police Commission of 1898. One occasionally hears echoes of this sort .< of stuff, but the cry, as a rule, emanates from those who either -have chronic griev- - Ranees, or who are always seeking to ac..count for something personal to them-j J;;selves, and will always attribute any cause I . rather than their own defects and in- j ." efficiencies. "I can only say," add- '■■'■:' ; ed the Commissioner, "that as far ;•; as I am capable of forming an opinion, : ■I do not believe there is the slightest ' '■> jground for assuming that a man's religion lis in any degree a factor in his relations !to the force. Having said this, I thus 'dismiss an element which I always dis;V; .courage, and which I shall make no fur- -. jther reference to." BAD CHARACTERS IN THE ■* FORCE. : UNSATISFACTORY INQUIRIES. ■ - [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] ;. "- • Wellington, Wednesday. After dealing with the regulations, and remarking that many of these are entirely obsolete, useless, and ineffective, jand in some instances positively absurd as (applied to the present day, the Commissioner says the inquiries in regard to applicants appear to be thorough and far.'reaching, and in the case of most New . ; ' 3aaland-born applicants to bo sufficient ;|to ensure that only men with good records (would secure employment. There are, .' however, weak spots in the system. It ■ is not long ago since several instances .'. ' ,trf very grave misconduct on the part of .certain members of the force became public property. This has created a feeling ,of unrest and want of confidence in. the .'force, but there is no reason to doubt that stricter supervision in the future will ren;|gjder extremely unlikely any such instances 'as we have had in the past. Mr. Bishop .jKunmcnfs on the fact, that a wife-deserter -ifrom England, who gained admission to ' the force, was not identified from a "miss- - \ 'fflg friend" notice published in New. Zealand, and that on his resigning the Com- ;' missioner of Police gave him a certificate gating that during his time of service his 'conduct was satisfactory. There was "|sßa the case of a constable who_was V , ■••:.. ■■..■:■'..•.■.--.:.. :' ■ '

fined on two occasions at Auckland, and then transferred to Wellington. When he resigned there was written across his defaulter's sheet, "character good." This was signed by Sab-Inspector Wright. "I am bound here to say," says the Commissioner, "that they must have very different ideas in Mr. Dinnio's office to mine as to what constitutes bad conduct on the part of a constable." After dealing with other cases of this kind, the report refers to the case of an ex-member of Permanent Artillery, in connection with which Mr. Bishop says, "I cannot understand why a man who has shown insubordination in one force should be supposed to be fit for another force shortly afterwards, whatever his credentials from friends might be. There have been," says the Commissioner, "so many instances lately of men, after admission, proving themselves to be perfect blackguards and quite unfit for the position of constables that it cannot bo wondered at that one should bo rather sceptical as to the real value of the preliminary inquiries made, even although they might appear prima facie to bo quite complete. It is not very satisfying after the event to be assured by the Commissioner of Police that every undesirable, as soon as discovered, promptly received his conge." The Commissioner recommends that the period of training in the depot should be increased to three months, and that fortnightly reports on their progress, character and suitability for enrolment be furnished by the sergeant instructor.

AN EFFICIENT FORCE.

DRUNKARDS LENIENTLY TREATED.

[BY telegraph.— association.]

Wellington, Wednesday.

After dealing in great detail with the question of police districts, the Commissioner says: " Taking the force as a whole I believe it to be thoroughly efficient, and I deplore the fact that the exceptions have reflected strongly on the whole. The criminal statistics show the efficiency of the force most clearly. The large percentage of detected crime speaks well for the good members of the force that the results of their work are so thoroughly satisfactory." Later on he says the conduct of the men has been good, " but I am convinced," he continues, "that a good deal of drinking goes on amongst the younger men in the force. I also regret to say that there are a number of instances • in which other members are clearly shown to be habitual drinkers, and these men being so well known as they are should be promptly dealt with. All charges of drunkenness amongst constables and sergeants are dealt with by the Commissioner, and I am bound to say that I think he has dealt far too leniently with the great majority of cases. There should be no place in the New Zealand police force for men who are addicted to drink or who have disgraced themselves and their comrades ■ and the whole police force by being found drunk while on duty and in positions of great responsibility. I am aware that the Commissioner does not view the offence in the same way that I do, but I am strongly of opinion that the leniency shown and the extraordinary inequality of treatment are responsible to a large extent for the existence of what I consider a most dangerous element in the force at the present time."

THE WAY UP THE LADDER.

UNWARRANTED PROMOTIONS. [by telegraph.—press assocutionJ.', Wellington. Wednesday. There is, proceeds Mr. Bishop, a very strong feeling of discontent and dissatisfaction throughout the force with I regard to the manner in which certain constables have been promoted to be sergeants. A great deal of that, he says, is well" founded, and he adds: "When I see some of the inconsistI ent, inequitable, and apparently quite uni warranted instances of promotion, I do not wonder at many men feeling aggrieved. The Commissioner has repeatedly during the course of this inquiry asked complaining constables whether they have ever applied for promotion, and if they answered in the negative he has appeared completely satisfied that he has completely disposed of the complaint. I say, most unhesitatingly, that there is no necessity for a man, who is entitled to it, to ask for promotion. I would almost regard asking for it as a disqualification. It is scarcely necessary to say that all promotions should go by merit and service, and that all things being equal seniority should govern. The Commissioner of Police tells me that all promotions recommended by him have been based on these considerations. He can, ) I suppose, easily persuade himself that this is so, but in several instances the facts do not bear it out. A man should always be paid according ,to the work he does, but he should" be paid as for work, and not given rank that he is in no way entitled to. Another fruitful source of discontent has, says the Commissioner, been the promotion oi some of, the men who have been acting as district clerks in various parts, and in this connection he quotes various cases whose advancement, he expresses the opinion, cannot be defended. "There can," he says, "be no doubt that the inspectors are the persons who are best qualified to know the merits of men for promotion," but he does not think that their recommendation should be the only qualification. There are, proceeds the Commissioner, several men in the force who for several years past have been fully entitled, to promotion, and the passing over of whom is absolutely unaccountable, and he is forwarding separately to the Minister a list of the names of the men he considers entitled to special consideration. "•"'.■■.*..".

NO BRIBERY OR CORRUPTION. A SATISFACTORY FEATURE. [BY TELEGRAPH. — ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Wednesday. The Comisskmer goes on to say that if there is one thing more than another that strikes one in connection with the force, it is the absolute freedom from bribery, corruption, or oppression, which he regards as a subject for congratulation. He does not think there is any ground for the general accusation that police have been in the habit of interfering with -prisoners by giving information to their employers as to their antecedents, and in other ways.

THE POLICE COMMISSIONER.

IS THE FORCE IMPROVING ?

[BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Wellington, Wednesday. As to the leave given to Mr. Dinnie, jun.. Mr. Bishop finds that he was granted six months' leave, but only one month on full pay; but he thinks it is a matter for regret that a person holding such an important and responsible position as that of finger-print expert should be a near relative of the head of the Department. Dealing at length with the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bishop says : " As he evidently wished it to be implied that he was responsible for setting up the Commission, it is perhaps, a little inconsistent that he should on certain occasions have shown a disposition to impede rather than assist the work of inquiry." Mr Bishop adds: " That he has a long and honourable police record no one can possibly doubt. Whether long .actual police experience necessarily qualifies a man for the successful administration of * force eucb oe ours, is ft

matter of opinion. A man must.be judged by the result of his work. Where I have found it necessary to differ considerably from the Commissioner's views on certain matters, and criticise adversely certain, phases of his administration, I have done so with regret, for I fully recognise that in everything he has done he has acted with the beet intention, and with due regard to what he believed, however mistakenly, to be the best interests of the force." " The Commissioner," says Mr. Bishop, in another place, " takes credit to himself for considerably improving the efficiency of the force after he took over the charge from ex-Commissioner Tunbridge. Whether this credit can be justly claimed must be judged by the evidence." WHAT OF THE FUTURE ? AN APPEAL TO MINISTERS. [BY TELEGRAPH. ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Wednesday. In the course of his concluding remarks, Mr. Bishop says that the position of several officers, if left as they arc, will be perfectly impossible, and grave trouble may arise. What, he asks, is going to be the position of certain men who have given evidence adverse to their superiors? "I can do no more," he says, " than leave the position here in the hands of those in authority, with the earnest injunction to grapple honestly and sincerely with any difficulties that have arisen, so that no feeling of soreness may continue, or risk of doing injustice may arise ; but that all may work together for the benefit of a force that, taken as a whole, is a credit to the Dominion, and that compares favourably with any similar force in the world, and that, properly handled, will still further enhance its reputation."

MR. DINNIE AND MR. CULLEN. PERSONAL RELATIONS. [by telegraph.—special correspondent.] Wellington, Wednesday. In his report on his inquiry into matters connected with the police force, Mr. Bishop says:—The evidence has disclosed the fact that the relations between the Commissioner and at least two of his senior inspectors are, and have been for some time, of such a nature as to raise the presumption that if allowed to continue the efficiency and discipline of a certain section of the : force will inevitably suffer. These unsatisfactory relations found their echo, if I may so express it, amongst other members of different grades in the same centres. At Dunedin Inspector O'Brien spoke with a considerable degree of bitterness of the Commissioner and all his works, and his attitude was reflected in that of several other members of the force there of all ranks. In his evidence in Auckland Inspector Cullen clearly showed that he does not see eye to eye with the Commissioner in mattersof administration, and he spoke very freely on points that he thought affected the" efficiency of the force. Amongst other things, he expressed very strong disapproval of the headquarters staff as at present constituted, but in this he said no more than others have said elsewhere. The Commissioner, in giving his evidence in Wellington, specially referred to this in the following terms: — " I am afraid that the inspector at Auckland, in disparagingly referring to the headquarters staff, allowed his personal animus to overcome his better judgment. His relations with the chief magistrate and police surgeon of his district tend to confirm this." lat once took exception to this manner of referring to Inspector Cullen's evidence given on oath, as it was, and I pointed out what I considered to be the absence of connection between Inspector Cullen's opinion of the headquarters staff and his lack of friendly relations with Mr. Kettle, S.M., and Dr. Sharman. The reference seemed to me to be made for an improper purpose. - Mr. Dinnie then said that he considered that Inspector Cullen was vindictive, especially when he took a dislike to anyone. He said that on this account he had considered Inspector Cullen's fitness to control a large district and body of men, and that it was not satisfactory. , He further stated in effect that Inspector Cullen's evidence as to the staff was unreliable and untrue, and actuated by malice. Although I pointed out that if this were true, it was tantamount, to asserting the unfitness of the inspector for his important office, and placed all the men under his control at the mercy of a vindictive man, especially as he (the Commissioner) had previously stated that he relied almost wholly on the inspectors to recommend men for promotion, he did not seem to me to realise the seriousness of the allegation he was making against the inspector, and how it . might affect the whole question of the efficiency of his own administration. With a view to satisfy me of the truth of his allegation that the inspector was vindictive, as the result of a dislike he had- towards Sub-Inspector Wright, he handed me a small file of papers, showing that in August, 1906, a very slight dispute had arisen between Mr. Cullen and Mr. Wright over the querying by the latter of the details of a very small voucher. Truly a very serious indictment; when men are lacking in a due sense of proportion, their judgment, as a rule, is seriously wanting. ■ I am not going further to refer to Inspector Cullen's relations with Mr. Kettle, S.M. The Commissioner has been fully aware of them for several years past. If he considered that they were likely to affect Mr. Cullen's efficiency and usefulness as a police officer, he should have taken action long since. He only refers to them now in connection with a matter personal to himself.

"A THOROUGH BAD LOT."

EVIDENCE OF INFLUENCE.

'by. TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington*, Wednesday. In referring to cases 0 laxity in admitting men to the force, Mr. Bishop, who conducted the Police Commission, states: One of the worst cases that I have come across is that of a man who was admitted as a probationer in November, 1905, and sworn in the following month. There is an extensive file relating to this case, and I have gone carefully through it, and the profound impression is left upon my mind that had it not been for the pressure brought by a then member of Parliament, the man would never have been accepted. There are no fewer than three letters on Unfile from Mr. R. M. Houston, MH.R dated April 15, 1903, October 1, 1903, and September 20, 1905, strongly recommending the man for selection. The inquiries about him were never satisfactory, and were never properly completed, and almost every statement that the man made about himself was incorrect, and he even went to the length of producing documents on behalf of himself that belonged to' another man of the same name. He was finally allowed to resign as from April 13, 1907. It turned out that he had deserted his wife and family in England, and was a thorough bad lot During the inquiries that were made before he was admitted to the force, a constable reported that he had frequently seen him under the influence of liquor, and that once when he was on a spree he had an intimate connection with a certain forged cheque. Another constable reported that he was in debt in the district in which he lived, that he was of drunken habits, and very quarrelsome while drunk. One man said he was absolutely no class, and totally unsuited for the police force. It is true that other people in various reports spoke of his good qualities, but, judicially reviewing the whole case, I can see no excuse whatever for having admitted the man into the police force. I can only conclude that "political influence' was the deciding factor. The man in November, 1908, actually had the impudence to officially apply for permission to get married in D'unedin, although he was known in the Department as a married man, having so stated in his application form. He finally left the Dominion with a woman. The Commissioner described him in his final minute on the papers as an unprincipled scamp.

AUCKLAND POLICE SURGEON.

NO DEFINITE RECOMMENDATION. [by telegraph.—special CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, Wednesday. , Mr. Bishop's report contains tho following reference to the Auckland police surgeon:—A great deal was said in Auckland about the relations existing between the inspector and the members of the force generally and Dr. Sharman, the police surgeon. There can be no doubt at all that those relations are exceedingly strained, and do not tend to operate in the best interests of all parties. As things are now, the great majority of the men refuse to have the services of* the police surgeon. The trouble has been in existence for a long time, and the Government caused a Departmental inquiry to be held. The matter does not come strictly within my order of reference, and I can make no definite recommendation on the subject. The position, however, ought to be dealt with in some way or other, and especially now that so much publicity has been given to the whole business.

SOME PROLONGED INQUIRIES

THE WRACK CASE.

[by TELEGRAPH.— correspondent.

Wellington*, Wednesday.

In regard to the Wrack case, Mr. Bishop quotes correspondence to' show that Mr. Kettle did not direct a prosecution for perjury against Wrack, but only drew the attention of Inspector Cullen to the evidence. Mr. Bishop adds: "An information w*s laid and the warrant issued on March z, 1909, but from that time to the present nothing has been seen of Wrack. It has been broadly stated that for certain reasons this man Wrack was allowed to get away, and that the police connived at his disappearance by unduly delaying the proceedings. The whole proceedings seem to have been very leisurely. lam not prepared to say that there is anything to support the allegations made against the police. Had Mr. Kettle expressly directed a prosecution for perjury, instead of requesting the police to make further inquiries and take such proceedings (if any) as might be considered warranted, the position would, of course, be wholly different. It would seem, too, that there was ample ground for such direction. As it was the police, without such. full and complete knowledge of all the circumstances as was possessed by Mr. Kettle, thought it incumbent on them to make long and, as I think, unnecessary further inquiries, and at the end to submit the whole matterstill more unnecessarilyfor the opinion of the Crown solicitor. "There is evidence on the papers to show- that Wrack, hearing of the projected prosecution, thought it wise to disappear, and this he has done most effectually."

'THE AUCKLAND STATION.

CONVENIENT AND WELL EQUIPPED.

[by TELEGRAPH. CORRESPONDENT.

Wellington, Wednesday.

The report of Mr. Bishop contains the following references to the Auckland city and suburban stations;— The Auckland station is, with Christchurch, the most convenient and best equipped. It is, of course, comparatively new, and has been built with a view to modern requirements. It is the only station that has been supplied with a gymnasium, and the reason why Auckland "should have been so excep'tionably favoured is not quite clear. The Newton station and barracks, which have been recently erected, are excellent in all respects. The population of this portion of the city of Auckland has increased so enormously of late years that no fewer than four sergeants are stationed here, with a considerable number of men. The needs of the district, in the way of accommodation, have so far been amply provided for, but if the city grows in the -next 10 years as it has grown in the past 10, one can quite imagine that still greater needs will have to be met and provided for. Some of the small suburban stations, such as Eden Terrace, are greatly in want of attention, but these are Departmental matters, and should be promptly dealt with.

THE NEW THAMES DISTRICT.

.CONSTITUTION CONSIDERED UNNECESSARY. • [BY TELEGRAPH.SPECIAL COKRESFOS.*DENT.] Wellington, Wednesday.' Mr.'.Bishop deals at some length with the action of the Department in detaching the present Thames police district from the Auckland district. He says that he has not been able to gather that there was any necessity for the constitution of the Thames district. Mr. Bishop continues: Inspector Cullen was evidently never consulted on the matter, and he considers that the efficiency of administration has not been improved. However this may be, it seems to me that matters can scarcely be allowed to continue as they are, and if the Thames district is to remain it should be given some semblance of importance and justification for existence by being increased in size by taking further territory from Auckland." To assist the Government in dealing with a rearrangement, Mr. Bishop attached a plan, showing a proposed alteration suggested by Inspector Kiely. The latter suggests adding to Thames Ngaruawahia and all those stations between that place and Raurimu, thus giving an additional 12 stations to Thames, and leaving 64 stations in the Auckland district.

This recommendation was referred by Mr. Bishop to Inspector Cullen, who ie« or ted against it and a proposal that the eadquarters of the new districts should be either at Rotorua or Hamilton. Mr. Cullen, after dealing with the subject in detail, says — " The result of the new arrangements following the formation of the Thames district can be summed up as follows:—Stations therein are more difficult to get at, and it costs more to inspect them from Thames than Auckland. Correspondence, of which there is a good deal, between Auckland and stations in the new district is much delayed owing to having to pass through Thames office both going and returning instead of going and returning direct as formerly. By having an inspector and staff located ,at Thames to supervise a little over half the number of men that the station sergeant has to supervise in Auckland an unnecessary expenditure of nearly £1000 per annum has been incurred by the Department without the least benefit to the service either by way of increasing the efficiency of the men in the new districts or giving better supervision than they had before the new arrangements were made."

Mr. Bishop says: " I agree to a very large extent with what Inspector Cullen says." Mr. Bishop, speaking of the Thames station, says:—"The new station is much beyond the requirements of this small and inconveniently situated district. The new building, which is very eolid and imposing, was evidently erected to provide suitably for the inspector and staff of the district when it was newly constituted. Whether the result has justified the somewhat heavy expenditure is, I should think, more than doubtful." DISCUSSION IN PARLIAMENT. SOUSE PLACED IN UNFAIR POSITION. [BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.! Wellington, Wednesday, The report of the Police Commission was laid on the table of the House this afternoon, and" ordered to be printed. Mr. Arnold congratulated - the Government'on the appointment of a Commission, to inquire into the state of the police system, and its choice of the Commissoner. His object in making the charges publio was to have them cleared up, in the interests of the police. ,He regretted that

Mr. Dinnie had not entered into the proper spirit of the Commission, but had made it a personal matter. No action taken by him was antagonistic to Mr. Dinnie. The charges made were serious, but not reckless, and if half of them were proved he was justified in making them. He admired the men who came forward and gave evidence against their superior officer. Those who did not give evidence had reasons for their silence. He was satisfied that new heads were required for the Police Department. Mr. Taylor (Christchurch) reviewed Mr. Bishop's finding in several charges. _ He gave instances of lax discipline existing in the force, and improper methods of promotion.

Mr. Herdman referring to the state of the force under Commissioner Tunbridge, said that that officer had resigned rather than submit to the dictation of Ministers of the Crown. In the present case tho Ministry was responsible, and could not make a scapegoat of Commissioner Dinnie. Mr. Wilford said the police force of the Dominion was as good as any in the world. He did not believe one charge of bribery and corruption had been brought before the Commission. Mr.' Bishop had not taken up the proper attitude in declining to recognise the status of Mr. Dinnie, and his methods in dealing with witnesses were inconsistent

Mr. Massey said he would not diecues the report, ae the House had not yet had an opportunity to read it. It was an extraordinary thing that while the report had only been laid on the table that afternoon it had been published by the press, and was available to the public outside. Sir Joseph Ward, in reply, said he had hoped that members would have waited till they had copies of the report in their hands before discussing it. The Government's proposals in regard to the report would be placed before the House, when opportunity was given to discuss the whole matter. Referring to Mr. Herdman's remarks, he said these were contrary to fact, and showed bias. He denied that Ministers of the Crown had interfered unduly with Commissioner Tunbridge. The Minister in charge of the Department at the time may have reversed the Commissioner's decision; he was entitled to do that, and had to accept his responsibilities. The Government had not yet arrived at a conclusion in regard to the recommendations embodied in the report. Mr, Arnold was right in calling for an inquiry, and the Government had done its duty in appointing a Commission, and having the whole matter cleared up. Replying to Mr. Massey, Sir Joseph Ward said the report had been 'placed in the Council at 2.30, and he was' not aware that certain evening papers were publishing the report, or that they had secured the same in any improper way.

MR. DINNIE TO REPLY.

[by TELEGRAPH. press association.]

Wellington', Wednesday.

Mr. W. Dinnie, Commissioner of Police, intends to prepare a statement covering the allegations contained in Mr. H. W. Bishop's report to Parliament concerning the police force. Mr. Dinnie will ask the Minister for Justice to lay his statement on the table of the House.