SIR E. ASSHETON CROSSI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he can inform the House, if, in his opinion, the public buildings were properly guarded by the police on the night of the explosion, and whether he has taken, any steps to strengthen the police in order that the guards may be increased?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTSir, I am much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman for giving me an opportunity of saying something on this point. With respect to the guard of public buildings on the night of the explosion, I cannot say that I think, practically, the supervision of the police was insufficient. There is one circumstance which is true, and that is that the policeman on the beat through Charles Street had a more extended beat that night than was usual, and the cause of it was one which I think is well worthy of the attention of the House and also of the Executive Government. It was 809 the day of the University Boat Race, and the enormous inconvenience and mischief to this Metropolis of these spectacles is deserving of consideration. The House will be, perhaps, surprised to learn that it was necessary to withdraw from their ordinary duty in London 1,500 policemen on account of the Boat Race. Well, of course, that cannot be done without weakening other places; and for my part, as far as my influence can go, it will always be to resist the multiplication of spectacles of this kind in London for that very cause. However, at each end of Charles Street there was a policeman passing at the intervals of 10 minutes, which is, of course, as much as can be expected, and also at the very time of the explosion. I have a report from the police sergeant in charge of the district, in which he says—
On the 15th instant I was on duty patrolling, and I passed the end of King Street in Charles Street about 8.30, and again at 9 p.m., and was proceeding through King Street, and when opposite King Street Police Station I saw a flash immediately followed by a terrific report, and was knocked into a doorway, but sustained no injury.Consequently, he was almost absolutely on the spot at the time, for it will be remembered that this King Street Police Station, one of the principal police stations in London, is within 50 yards of where the explosion took place. I need hardly say that orders have been given to largely strengthen the Police Force over public buildings beyond what was the case before. For that purpose, and in order to supply the deficiency, I have given directions that a very large addition shall be made to the Police Force of the Metropolis. Five hundred men will be added in the present state of things. Of course, that is a thing only to be done after the lapse of a certain time; and meanwhile I have made application to the Military Department that the use of soldiers shall be given for aiding the police in protecting public buildings till the Police Force can be adequately strengthened.