§ MR. T. P. O'CONNOR (Liverpool, Scotland)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to the following 1611 description of the condition of the police cells at Molyneux Street Police Station, Edgware Road, and at Marylebone Police Court, in a book entitled Imprisoned in the House of Detention for Libel, written by Mr. John Dawson: —
No sooner had I stretched myself on my wooden pallet than a whole army of rascals in brown uniform began to attack me. They swarmed down the walls, up from the floor, and ran a race as if for dear life, to be the first to gorge themselves with my blood. Of course, I speedily arose, and, looking about, saw that the cell was literally swarming with the filthy creatures. Police cells, I am given to understand, are invariably in this dirty state, and it is impossible, it is said, to keep them clean;and, whether, if this description be correct, he will issue immediate orders to have a reform made in the police cells of the Metropolis?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)I have not seen the statement quoted in the Question; but I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that the cells at the Molyneux Street Police Station are kept as clean as possible; but it is not possible, even with daily washing and frequent fumigation, to keep the buildings quite free from vermin, in consequence of the condition of those who are daily lodged in them. There has been no previous complaint as to the state of the cells at the Marylebone Police Court; but I have ordered an immediate inquiry to take place as to their alleged condition. I may add that a large sum is annually spent on the improvement of the cells of the Metropolis, and last year improvements were made in six stations. I hope that by the substitution which is being made of iron and hard wood for the soft material of which the old Benches were composed the matters complained of may be remedied.