§ MR. STRAIGHTasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he is cognizant of the circumstances under which George Carter, late constable 25 of the E Reserve of eight years' service in the Metropolitan Police, after being complimented and rewarded by Sir Thomas Henry for his courage at a fire in Gray's Inn Road last October, was dismissed from the force in March of the present year; whether he is aware that Carter was compelled to hand over to the Superintendent of his Division a sum of £21 10s. 2d., received by him from the Editor of "The Daily Telegraph," which had been subscribed for him by the public in recognition of his bravery upon the occasion before-mentioned; whether it is a fact that such sum of £21 10s. 2d. has, since Carter's dismissal, been replaced in the hands of the Editor of "The Daily Telegraph" by the Superintendent in question; and, whether, upon a review of all the circumstances of the case, he will direct that Carter shall be reinstated?
MR. BRUCESir, Constable George Carter was dismissed from the Metropolitan force on March 25 for an act of misconduct; and, in fact, at his own request. This dismissal had nothing whatever to do with the fire in Gray's Inn Road. With respect to that fire, a sum of money was subscribed by a number of persons under what, upon a careful investigation, was believed to be a misapprehension on their part, and therefore the Chief Commissioner of Police returned the money to the editor of The Daily Telegraph, from whom it was re- 841 ceived. At the request of the Chief Commissioner I have directed all the Papers and Correspondence to be referred to Sir Thomas Henry, who has kindly undertaken to investigate the matter, and by his decision I shall be happy to abide so far as the payment of the money is concerned.