HC Deb 08 August 1833 vol 20 cc437-8

The House went into a Committee on the Metropolitan Police Act.

Mr. Spring Rice

proposed a Resolution empowering his Majesty to grant out of the Consolidated Fund a sum not exceed- ing 60,000l. yearly, in aid of the parochial rates for the support of the Metropolitan Police force. The effect of the Resolution would be to authorize the Treasury to contribute a sum not exceeding 2d. in the pound towards the maintenance of the Police, so as to reduce the Parochial Assessments to 6d. in the pound, as originally intended.

Mr. Thicknesse

opposed the Resolution. The country ought not to be called on to defray a portion of expense incurred for the protection exclusively of property in the metropolis.

Lord Althorp

observed, that, upon the general principle, undoubtedly the metropolis ought to support its own Police, but the peace of the metropolis being of the utmost importance to the country at large, and the police being made available in various parts of the country, as well as in the metropolis, he thought it not unfair that a small portion of the expense should be borne by the country at large.

Colonel Evans

looked upon the police to be like the guards, and thought that they ought to be paid by the whole country.

Mr. Estcourt

also considered, that the police of London was a national force, and ought to be paid by the nation at large.

Mr. Aglionby

thought the northern counties might as well be called on to pay for the police of Manchester and Liverpool, as the whole nation to pay for the police of the metropolis.

Mr. Spring Rice

said, that the principle on which the grant was proposed had long been recognized in the case of Ireland.

Mr. Benett

opposed the grant. The inhabitants of London should provide for their own security.

Mr. Thicknesse

reminded the noble Lord, (Lord Althorp) that whenever the police were required out of London, they were paid by the districts requiring them. He should take the sense of the Committee on the subject.

The Committee divided: Ayes 49; Noes 19—Majority 30.

The House resumed.

List of the AYES.
Althorp, Lord Calvert, N.
Baring, F. Campbell, Sir J.
Barnard, H. Chapman, A.
Briscoe, J. I. Ebrington, Viscount
Evans, G. Perrin, L.
Evans, Colonel Plumptre, J.
Estcourt, T. G. Poulter, J. P.
Graham, Sir J. Rice, T. S.
Grant, C. Rotch, B.
Halcombe, J. Russell, Lord C.
Hawes, B. Russell, Lord J.
Horne, Sir W. Ryle, J.
Humphery, J. Sandon, Lord
Kennedy, F. Shaw, F.
Langston, J. H. Smith, V.
Lennard, Sir T. B. Tancred, H. W.
Lennard, T. B. Tooke, W.
Littleton, J. E. Warburton, H.
Macaulay, T. B. Ward, H. G.
Mangles, J. Wedgwood, J.
Ord, W. H. Wood, G.
O'Reilly, W. Wood, Alderman
Palmer, C. F. Wrottesley, Sir J.
Parrott, J.
List of the NOES.
Aglionby, H. A. James, W.
Baldwin, Dr. Kennedy, J.
Benett, J. Philips, M.
Bewes, T. Potter, R.
Cornish, J. Rickford, W.
Ewart, W. Thicknesse, R.
Faithfull, G. Tollemache, A. G.
Fielden, J. Wallace, R.
Hill, M. D. Wigney, J.
Hutt, W. Williams, Colonel