HC Deb 24 June 1890 vol 345 cc1782-3
MR. HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can lay upon the Table a Memorandum showing the details of the Police Bill, and in tabular form the rates of pay in the Metropolitan and City Police, and the rates of superannuation now obtaining therein, and also in Constabulary Forces in Great Britain, and those given by the present Bill and the previous Bills upon the question?

MR. DILLON

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers the question, I will ask him if he will include in the Return similar particulars with regard to the Irish Constabulary?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. MATTHEWS,) Birmingham, E.

I will take an early opportunity of laying upon the Table a Memorandum, which I have had in preparation, and which will exhibit the benefits conferred upon the police by the Superannuation Bill as compared with the existing system, and will state as many of the details mentioned by my hon. Friend as can be promptly given. It would take some time to collect the required information from all the provincial forces. I must have notice of the question of the hon. Member for East Mayo.

MR. BUCHANAN (Edinburgh, W.)

Will a similar Memorandum be drawn up with regard to the Scotch police?

MR. MATTHEWS

I think it would be impossible.

MR. H. H. FOWLER (Wolverhampton, E.)

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will supply the House with the Actuarial Reports upon which the scheme of the Government was based?

MR. MATTHEWS

I will consider whether the documents can be laid upon the Table with propriety.

MR. BURDETT-COUTTS (Westminster)

When will the Police Bill be proceeded with?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH,) Strand, Westminster

The Government will proceed with the Police Bill on the earliest opportunity. They recognise the grave importance of this question, and there will be no delay on their side.

SIR W. HARCOURT (Derby)

Will the right hon. Gentleman name a day? Does the earliest opportunity mean after the Local Taxation Bill has been disposed of, or does it mean immediately? It is very important that a day should be named. Why not next Thursday?

MR. W. H. SMITH

I am not able to name a day, but I hope to do so on Thursday.

MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)

If the Bill passes the Second Reading, does the right hon. Gentleman intend to refer it to a Committee?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! That does not arise out of the question.