HC Deb 02 November 1882 vol 274 cc622-4
MR. W. H. JAMES

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If it is a fact that a constable of the Metropolitan Police, on the night of Saturday the 28th instant, was seriously wounded at Hampstead by a shot from a revolver fired upon him by an armed burglar; and, whether, in view of the frequent crimes of violence perpetrated by means of these weapons, together with the frequent accidents arising from their careless and reckless use, he will consider the introduction next year of some measure of licence and registration in respect of the purchase of these arms to limit, if possible, that indiscriminate distribution of them which prevails at present?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

I am not surprised that after the very serious affray at Hampstead, in which a policeman was wounded, and in which he behaved so gallantly, the subject to which my hon. Friend alludes should have attracted much public attention. I can assure my hon. Friend that I am considering very carefully, with the police authorities, what can be done in the matter. I am afraid that the plan proposed by my hon. Friend is hardly strong enough to remedy the evils of which he complains, because already a penalty can be imposed by law upon people who possess arms without a licence; but, as a matter of fact, the penalty is evaded, and I fear that registration would be evaded likewise. I may as well now answer a subsequent Question which has a place upon the Notice Paper. I am asked whether I will introduce a Bill this Session dealing with this subject. To that I have to answer that it would be impossible to do so this Session; and, besides, I do not think that this is a matter that ought to be taken in hand hastily or under the influence of panic. Then there is a question about arming the police. Well, that is a matter which I have also very carefully considered. I have taken the opinion of the Commissioners of Police and of the Superintendents of Police, and I am bound to say that they are unanimously against the proposal. Though this is a very grave matter, which must be seriously dealt with, in order to prevent any undue alarm or belief that the crimes have increased greatly in number or rapidity, I think it may be well to give the numbers for the last few years. In 1879, there were four offences of this character; in 1880, there were three; in 1881, four; and this year up to the present date there have been three. Therefore, grave as these offences are, their number has not seriously increased during the last four years.

MR. W. H. JAMES

Do these figures refer to the Metropolitan Police District or to the country?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

To the Metropolitan Police District.

SIR HENRY TYLER

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman considering the question of administering the punishment of flogging to garotters and burglars armed with revolvers?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

Yes, Sir; that is a matter under consideration.