THE POLITICAL ACTIVITIES OF GOVERNMENT 91

they are often the real arbiters between motorists, cyclists and
pedestrians. These duties can only be performed well by a force
which has the confidence of all sections of the public. The Police
are appointed by the Home Secretary; the Home Secretary must
have the confidence of Parliament; Parliament is elected by the
people; all this is true and important, but it does not by itself
make the people feel that the Police are well-disposed to them.
The good relations which, on the whole, exist between Police
and public, spring from the fact that the Police are drawn from
the ordinary people.

ATrison Comjttiission, under the Home Secretary, is responsible
for the treatment of the 12,000 persons who are usually to be
found at any one time in English prisons. Since no man may be
deprived of his liberty except in accordance with the law, the
treatment of offenders is strictly a matter for the courts to
determine. The sentence of a court, however, does not go into
details; the food, clothing, hours of work, opportunity for
recreation and discipline of prisoners—nearly everything, in fact,
which decides what prison life is like—come under the control
of the Prison Commission, except for & few powers which belong
to the local magistrates. While only the Judicature can impose
sentences, the Royal Prerogative of Mercy enables the Home
Secretary to reduce or abolish them; in th$ most serious cases
he usually consults with the Judge who preside4 at the trial.
The great majority of people do not go to prison, and so are not
greatly concerned with prison conditions. A great responsibility
therefore rests on the Prison Commission and the Home Secretary:
this work is not exposed to regular criticism; occasionally some
unusual event will awaken public interest.

The dose connection between the Home Office and the
administration of Justice is also illustrated by the fact that the
Home Secretary appoints the Public Prosecutor, and certain
magistrates.

2. Social Work. The Home Secretary's duty to look after the
safety and well-being of citizens places upon him work of a