§ VISCOUNT ENFIELDsaid, he wished to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether any additional appointments have been made to the Staff of the Metropolitan Police; and, whether such appointments have, involved any re-organization in the districts visited by and the duties performed by the Police?
§ MR. KNATCHBULL-HUGESSENsaid, in reply, that the inquiry which had been instituted into the condition of the metropolitan police had established beyond doubt the fact that the duties required of the two assistant commissioners in the central office were of such an onerous nature as to interfere materially with that general and personal supervision of the police which was absolutely essential. A change had been long contemplated, and his right hon. Friend the Homo Secretary, in pursuance of the powers vested in him, had recently made several additional appointments. The metropolis had been divided into four districts, each of which had been placed under the charge of an officer called a district superintendent. These Officers were charged with superintending the general disciplinary duties of the police, and were generally responsible for the maintenance of order and the repression of crime in their several districts, being immediately answerable to the Chief Commissioner. One advantage resulting from this ar- 1355 rangement was that whereas formerly the police had constantly to go to the central office to answer complaints and transact other business, all such business would henceforth be transacted in the district offices. He was convinced that when the arrangement was fully carried out it would be found highly convenient.