HC Deb 23 November 1882 vol 274 cc1926-8
MR. FRASER-MACKINTOSH

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he is aware that the County Authority of Inverness-shire recently resolved to double the police force at a computed cost of £3,000 per annum; whether the Government has agreed to recognise the increase, and pay half costs; whether, before involving the ratepayers of the county and the community in this large increase, he satisfied himself of the justice and necessity of such a step; and, whether, in view of the dissatisfaction and discontent prevalent amongst considerable numbers of the rural and crofter population in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, and the desire expressed by many interested, including an influential portion of the Press in Inverness, Edinburgh, and London, for a Commission of Inquiry, Government will now accede to the request?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

In answer to the first Question, it is true that the authorities of the county of Inverness—that extensive county—have determined to increase the police force by 60 men. With reference to the second and third Questions, in the letter to which I have already referred the hon. Member will see that the Government did say—and it was their duty to say so—that they would sanction any force of police which the authorities of the county thought were necessary to vindicate and to execute the law. With reference to the last Question, it is one of so grave a character that I could not answer it now without consulting my Colleagues upon it.

MR. MACFARLANE

May I ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman if he can state what are the facts that have caused this necessary increase in the police of Inverness-shire? Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman able to say whether or not it is a fact that this extra sum to be charged upon the county and the ratepayers of the United Kingdom arises solely and entirely from a dispute about £100 between a landlord and his tenant?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

I think the hon. Member will see it would not be at all wise to answer a Question of that kind. Everybody4must feel that it is the duty of the Local Authority and the Government to see that the law is respected. As to the other Questions, they are very proper Questions for inquiry; but it would be entirely out of my power at this moment, in answer to a Question, to enter into so large a matter as that.

MR. FRASER-MACKINTOSH

asked the Lord Advocate, with reference to his letter to the Sheriff of Inverness, dated the third instant, If he will be good enough to specify the statutes or statute whereby the county authority (the ordinary strength of its police force being annually reported as efficient) is bound to provide and maintain a police force, unlimited in number, for the due execution of writs issuing from the Supreme Civil Courts of Scotland?

THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR)

The Act of 20 & 21 Vict. c. 72 is the leading Statute on this subject. It requires that a sufficient police force shall be established for each county; and by Section 5 it provides that it shall be lawful for the Commissioners of Supply, on the recommendation of the Police Committee of any county, from time to time, with the consent of one of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, to increase or diminish the number of constables appointed for such county. The number of constables annually required to constitute a sufficient police force must, of course, depend upon the condition of each county. One of the chief duties of such a force is to protect from violence persons exercising their lawful rights, or performing their duties within the county; and officers of the law executing writs or orders issuing from the Supreme Court are eminently entitled to be protected from violence in discharging this important duty.