asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of the Metropolitan Police Force have, in each of the last five years, been convicted under the police discipline code for giving false evidence; and what penalties were imposed in each case.

There were no such cases in the years 1949–52. In 1953, one officer was found guilty on a charge of falsehood under the police discipline code and was fined; and two officers who were sentenced to nine months' imprisonment for perjury were dismissed.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman think it desirable that officers found guilty of this very serious offence should continue in the force?

I hope that the hon. Member will not press that point, because I am the appeals authority under the Police Appeals Act. These things may come to me, and as an appellant authority I cannot lay down a principle which might preclude consideration of special facts.