HC Deb 04 April 1889 vol 334 cc1594-5
MR. J. ROWLANDS (Finsbury, East)

asked the First Lord of the Treasury if he could now state whether the Report of the Commissioners of Police of the Metropolis for the year 1888 would be laid upon the Table of the House before the Vote in Supply for the Metropolitan Police was taken?

*THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. STUART WORTLEY)

Perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to answer. The Chief Commissioner will make every effort to expedite the publication of his Report; but I regret that I cannot give any pledge that the Report will be in the hands of hon. Members before the Vote is taken.

MR. STUART (Shoreditch, Hoxton)

I would ask whether, if we do not get this Report, we have any opportunity at all of knowing the details of the expenditure of the Metropolitan Police? They are not given in the Estimates as they used to be.

*MR. STUART WORTLEY

I think the hon. Member is speaking of another Parliamentary Paper, not the Paper to which the question relates.

MR. J. ROWLANDS

Has not a promise been previously given that this Paper should be circulated, as it is impossible to discuss the question of the Metropolitan Police without it? The fourth month of the year is come, and the Report asked for is for last year.

*MR. STUART WORTLEY

Every effort shall be made; but in previous years this Report has been presented to the House at the very end of the year. I regret there should be this delay, but no doubt the staff of the Commissioner is fully worked.

MR. J. STUART

I will put down a question as to the other Papers.