MR. CARINGTONasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether it is true that one thousand two hundred men of the Metropolitan Police were sent to the review held at Windsor on Saturday last; what was the total cost incurred; whether any portion of the expenses was defrayed by the ratepayers of the Metropolis; and, by whose order they were sent?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTI am a little surprised at my hon. Friend's Question. He ought to have known that, under the Metropolitan Police Act, the men are sworn in to serve at the Royal Palaces and within 10 miles of them. The Metropolitan Police always act at great State ceremonials, and also upon great national occasions when Her Majesty is present, and no occasion deserves that name better than that of the Volunteer Review at Windsor on Saturday last. The order to go was given upon my responsibility, upon the application of the Office of Woods and Forests and of the Ranger. The number of men employed was 706. The military authorities have always declared that they very much prefer the Metropolitan Police to the troops for keeping the ground on these occasions. The cost of the employment of the police was between £200 and £300. That cost is defrayed, as it always is on occasions of this character, out of the Police Fund, half of which is contributed by the ratepayers and half comes from the Imperial Exchequer. I do not know whether my hon. Friend is a ratepayer of London. I am; and, on behalf of the ratepayers of London, I am prepared to say that this contribution on their part of £100, to be divided among some 4,000,000 of people, for the success of the experiment of Saturday last, is one which they will readily bear. I think they will be glad to contribute to the success of the Review, where all who took part in it so well performed their duty.
MR. GORSTasked whether the ratepayers had any choice left in the matter, or whether their money was spent at the will of the right hon. Gentleman?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTIf the hon. and learned Member thinks that the ratepayers of London are ill-used, and he will bring forward a Motion on the subject, it will be considered.