§ 12. Mr. STONESasked the Home Secretary if he is aware that the circumstances under which Chief-Inspector Easton and Detective-Sergeant Bond, of the Lancashire Constabulary, stationed at Farnworth, have been reduced in rank, and Sergeant Crowther, of the same 1920 force, has been fined, have aroused resentment throughout the Bolton petty sessional division; and whether he will call for a further investigation into the whole circumstances of the case?
§ Sir J. GILMOURMy hon. Friend brought this case to my notice, but I have received no other representations about it. The disciplinary authority in a county police force is placed by statute in the hands of the Chief Constable, and it is not within my province to review his decision in individual cases of this kind.
§ Lord BALNIELIn cases like this and the similar case of Police Constable Robinson recently, in which considerable public interest was aroused, is it not possible for the right hon. Gentleman to institute a public inquiry?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI think it is quite unnecessary.
§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESIn view of the very severe punishment meted out to these officers at Farnworth, cannot the right hon. Gentleman, even if he had no statutory powers, communicate with the Chief Constable of Lancashire and use his good offices to get these men reinstated in their previous positions?
§ Sir J. GILMOURCertainly not.
§ 17. Major JESSONasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the discontent and apprehension that exist in the Lancashire County Police Force; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be held into the actions of the Chief Constable of Lancashire?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.
§ Major JESSONIf I bring to the notice of my right hon. Friend evidence of the grossly excessive and cruel punishment that this Chief Constable is meting out to members of the force——
§ Mr. SPEAKERI should not allow that question to be put on the Paper, and I cannot allow it to be put as a supplementary question.
§ Major JESSONMay I give notice that I intend to raise this question, with permission, on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House on some future occasion?
§ 18. Major JESSONasked the Home Secretary whether he will furnish the House with a return of the number of dismissals, rank reductions, and voluntary resignations in the Lancashire County Constabulary during the last two years?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe Chief Constable informs me that during the two years ending on 30th April last three members of his force were dismissed, 13 were ordered to resign as an alternative to dismissal, nine were reduced in rank, and 25 resigned for reasons of their own.
§ Major JESSONCan the right hon. Gentleman say how that compares with other districts, with other counties?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNot without notice.
§ Major JESSONCould you inform him that Lancashire is not Russia?
§ Mr. CAPORNIs there not a right of appeal in these cases to the Home Secretary, and has that right of appeal been exercised?
§ Sir J. GILMOURYes, there is a right of appeal.