HC Deb 13 February 1888 vol 322 cc253-4
MR. SYDNEY BUXTON (Tower Hamlets, Poplar)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Why Police-constable Bloy has been transferred to the Poplar District, and how long he will remain there?

MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)

asked, whether Sir Charles Warren, before exonerating Police-constable Bloy, examined any witnesses except policemen; and, if so, what witnesses; whether, before issuing his Memorandum, the Chief Commissioner communicated with Mr. Baggallay; whether Mr. Baggallay requested to be furnished with a copy of the Memorandum; whether that request was complied with; and lastly, whether, as the public was somewhat interested in this matter, the Home Secretary would at once lay upon the Table copies of the Memorandum, and of the correspondence with Mr. Baggallay?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)

In answer to the Question on the Paper, I am informed by the Chief Commissioner that it has been, and is, the custom of the Service, when an officer had been found fault with by a magistrate, to remove that officer from the district of the Magistrate's Court. It is uncertain how long Police-constable Bloy will remain at Poplar. These are matters of ordinary police discipline, which are left to the discretion of the Commissioner. In answer to the Question of the hon. Member for Bethnal Green, my answer to the first and second paragraphs is in the negative. In answer to the third paragraph, I have to say that the magistrate did not apply directly to the Commissioner for a copy of the Memorandum. If he had done so, I feel sure that his request would have been complied with. He asked for a copy through an Inspector, whose message was not received by the Commissioner until after the magistrate had made his remarks in Court. I do not think it would be useful, or to the public advantage, to lay on the Table copies of the Paper referred to.

MR. PICKERSGILL

In consequence of the exceedingly unsatisfactory reply of the Home Secretary, I beg to give Notice that I shall, at the earliest opportunity, draw the attention of this House to the action of the Executive Government in the case of Constable Bloy, and move a Resolution.