HC Deb 30 March 1885 vol 296 cc1083-4

Bill considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

Clause 1 (Redistribution of the Constabulary Force).

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

moved an Amendment to provide that the Lord Lieutenant should redistribute the Force every three instead of every five years.

Amendment proposed, In page 1, at the beginning of lino 8, to leave out "five," and insert "three."—(Mr. Camptell-Bannerman.)

Question, "That 'three' be there inserted," put, and agreed to.

Clause, as amended, agreed to.

Clauses 2 to 4, inclusive, agreed to.

MR. SEXTON

moved to insert the following new Clause:— A Return shall be laid before both Houses of Parliament one clear month before every such distribution, giving the number of sergeants and constables proposed to be distributed as a free quota for each county, city, or town specified in the Schedule to the said Act of 1865, and for the City of Londonderry. The hon. Member said the object of the clause was to secure that on every occasion on which the Lord Lieutenant redistributed the Force the House of Commons should have an opportunity of expressing an opinion upon it. The result of knowing beforehand what the Government proposed to do would probably be a saving of time.

New Clause (Return to be laid before Parliament)—(Mr. Sexton,)—brought up, and read the first time.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause be now read a second time."

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

remarked that the clause moved by the hon. Member had not been placed upon the Paper, and he had consequently had no opportunity of knowing exactly what it was.

MR. SEXTON

said, he would read it again if the right hon. Gentleman wished.

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNETRMAN

said, that was not necessary; but, as the clause had not been placed upon the Paper, he would suggest that it should be brought up upon the Report.

MR. SEXTON

said, he had no objection to take that course.

Motion and Clause, by leave, withdrawn.

Bill reported; as amended, to be considered upon Monday 13th April.