§ MR. CUNNINGHAME GRAHAM (Lanark, N.W.)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been directed to the continually reiterated statement in the newspapers that injustice has been done to Constables Smith, Hackett, Leach, Whyman, Villiers, and Skelton by dismissing them from the Force for a trivial cause, when all of them have many years' good character; and, if this was by Sir Charles Warren's orders; if so, whether, in view of the feeling in the Police Force on the subject, he can see fit to re-instate these men?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that the constables referred to have been dismissed for grave misconduct in taking part in a lottery in a public-house for the benefit of police-constables who have 1752 been reduced in class for drunkenness on duty. This was not only a grave offence against discipline, but also an offence against the law of the land. I am not aware of any feeling in the Police Force on the subject. The Chief Commissioner has authority to dismiss constables; and I must decline to interfere with his discretion in acting as he thinks proper for the maintenance of discipline in the Force.