§ MR. DEASY(for Mr. LAWSON) (St. Pancras, W.)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to the case of ex-Police Sergeant Drummond; can he state what his offence was; whether his punishment was increased because he appealed from the decision of his Superintendent to the Chief Commissioner of Police; and, if so, whether he had asked to have his innocence proved by witnesses; and, why he was refused a hearing, and punished more severely?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)The last complaint against Sergeant Drummond was by a private individual for assault and using offensive language when on special duty on the 21st of June. His punishment was not increased because he appealed to the Chief Commissioner. The Chief Commissioner thought that he was not fit to discharge the duty of sergeant under the circumstances. He was not refused a hearing, and the evidence of a witness who wrote that he did not see the assault was carefully considered.
§ MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)inquired whether the sergeant had been reduced in consequence of his past conduct?
§ MR. MATTHEWSsaid, he had seen a list of prior charges against Drummond, and he was informed that he was reduced for general misconduct, and not for this particular offence.