§ MR. BOND (Dorset, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the authorities of the Borough of Poole have expressed a desire to amalgamate the borough police with that of the County of Dorset for a period of five years, to test whether such arrangement can be carried out to the satisfaction of both parties; and whether he is able to give his consent to this scheme, which will effect a large saving to the local taxpayers of the borough?
§ *MR. MATTHEWSYes, Sir; I am aware of the proposal to amalgamate these two forces. The matter involves some question of law, and also depends upon the view which may be taken of it hereafter by the Secretary of State, whoever he may be; but I am advised that his sanction will be necessary under the Act of Parliament.