MR. DAWNAYasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been drawn to a murder, committed at North Shields, on February 21st, by a drunken man upon the drunken fellow-occupant of a police cell; and, whether, in view of the fact that but a short time ago another case of a similar nature occurred, when one drunken man was kicked to death by another, he will take the necessary steps to prohibit the promiscuous locking up of drunken men, and to arrange for separate confinement in such cases?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTThe hon. Member is probably aware that the Secretary of State has no authority over the police in the Provinces, and that the local authorities are there supreme. With regard to the Metropolitan district, which is under the authority of the Home Office, regulations to the effect which the hon. Member considers desirable are at present in force.