§ Mr. NAYLORasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to a case heard at the Old Bailey on 5th March, in which it was stated that the police allowed a girl clerk to expose herself to possible serious injury during a robbery at a firm of Tottenham estate agents, in order that the prisoners might be caught in the act of robbery; and why, seeing that the police had previous information that an attempt at robbery was to be made and were actually watching the premises at the time, they did not arrest the men concerned on entry of the premises?
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§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSYes, Sir. I am aware of the facts of this case and of the learned Recorder's commendation of the conduct of the police and of the witness referred to. The course taken was the only practicable course. The premises had been visited before in similar circumstances while the police were keeping observation; but on that occasion the parties stopped short of any action that would have justified arrest.