MR. GORSTasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, What are the intentions of Pier Majesty's Government with reference to those officers of the Metropolitan Police Force who have been employed in the administration of the Contagious Diseases Act?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT, in reply, said, the Government, in consequence of the vote which the House came to the other night, had thought it right to repeal such portions of the Acts as might appear to be optional with the Government. The employment of the Metropolitan police was merely optional, and therefore it had been discontinued.
MR. GORSTWill those men so previously employed be retired, or will any consideration be shown to them?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTCertainly, Sir. These men will not suffer in their employment owing to the step the Government has taken.
§ SIR WALTER B. BARTTELOTI should like to ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman whether the ordinary police in garrison towns are still to be employed for carrying out the Acts?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTThe hon. and gallant Member must know that I have no voice in that matter. The Secretary of State has no authority whatever over police in boroughs, I can give the local authorities no instructions as what to do or what not to do.