§ The House in Committee of the whole House on the Metropolis Police Bill.
§ Mr. F. Maulesaid, that the first ten clauses of the bill had reference entirely to that body of the police who were under the control, not of the Metropolitan Police Commissioners, but of the body who had the controlling power of the police of the City of London. That part of the measure having been considered by a Committee of the House, he was happy to say, that the Members forming that Committee, although of all shades of politics, had come almost to an unanimous decision in favour of the opinion which had been strongly expressed, that the control over the police in the City of London, ought to be left in the hands of those 134 who now exercised that power. They were convinced, that a good and efficient police would be kept up under their superintendence. He should therefore now move, that with the exception of the enacting words of the first clause, the clauses from one to ten inclusive be struck out.
Colonel Woodbegged to remind the noble Lord, that the constables of Westminster at present derived a great part of their powers under the 42nd of George 3rd. Now, as this bill would altogether annihilate that species of force, he would suggest that a clause should be introduced to empower the police constables to do all those acts which the Westminster constables were required to do.
§ Lord John Russellwould take care that the subject should be inquired into.
§ Clauses struck out.
§ Other clauses agreed to.
§ On clause 21 having been proposed, the House resumed; the Committee to sit again.