§ MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he can state the exact reason why the late Head of the Detective Department in the Metropolitan Police resigned his position; whether it is the fact that Sir Charles Warren has now practically the direct control of the Detective Department; and, whether, in view of the constant recurrence of atrocious murders, and the failure of the new organization and methods to detect the murderer, he will consider the propriety of making some change in the arrangements of Scotland Yard. The hon. Member also wished to know, whether it was true, as reported in the newspapers that afternoon, that Sir Charles Warren had tendered his resignation, and that it had been accepted?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)I have already stated the reason why Mr. Monro resigned in answer to a Question from the hon. Member for Bethnal Green (Mr. Pickersgill) on the 6th instant, to which I beg to refer the hon. Member. I have not got the document with me; but I have no objection to read to the House the letter. [Mr. GENT-DAVIS: Some time this evening?] With regard to the remainder of the Question of the hon. Member, I have to say that Mr. Anderson has now the direct control of the Criminal Investigation Department, but under the superintendence and control of the Chief Commissioner, as provided by statute. The failure of the police, so far, to detect the persons guilty of the White-chapel murders is due, not to any new organization, or to any defect in the existing system, but to the extraordinary cunning and secrecy which characterize these atrocious crimes. I have already, for some time, had under consideration the whole system of the Criminal Investigation Department, with a view to introducing any improvements that experience may suggest. With regard to the final Question of the hon. Member, I have to say that Sir Charles Warren did, on the 8th instant, tender his resignation to Her Majesty's Government, and that it has been accepted.