§ MR. FELLOWES (Huntingdonshire, Ramsey)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether all payments by Government towards the cost of the police (beyond those which may be due for the year ended 29th September last, and were unpaid on 31st March, 1889) are henceforth to be discontinued; and, if so, whether the County Councils are to be responsible for these debts contracted before they came into existence?
§ MR. MATTHEWSMy answer to both questions is in the affirmative. The Government contribution in respect of all police expenditure accrued up to the 29th of September last was paid before the 31st of March, and no further direct contribution in aid of police expenditure will be made. I am advised that under the Local Government Act contribution to police expenditure during the police year, from the 30th of September last to the 29th of September next, becomes a charge against the County Councils, and has to be met by them out of the revenues which will be handed over to them by the Government in respect of the financial year from the 31st of March, 1889, to the 1st of April, 1890.