HC Deb 31 March 1892 vol 3 cc370-1
MR. J. O'CONNOR

In consequence of the answer of the Home Secretary to Question 19, I desire to ask him again if there is any abuse of authority on the part of the police or inspectors of the police in England in the administration of the law, which Minister of the Crown is responsible in this House for such abuse, and whose duty is it to answer questions in this House concerning the same?

* MR. MATTHEWS

I should be extremely glad if the hon. Member would put that question on the Paper, because it is one I should like to answer with full deliberation and perfect accuracy. I can only repeat what I said before, that, so far as I am aware, no Minister of the Crown is responsible for any misconduct in his office by a provincial policeman or police inspector. The Minister of the Crown has neither the choice of the policeman nor the right to dismiss him, and has no authority to give him any order whatsoever. The police are appointed and dismissed by the Chief Constable in counties, and in a town like Birmingham, which is referred to here, by the Watch Committee; therefore no Minister of the Crown is responsible for wrong conduct by a policeman in the discharge of his office. On the other point, I would rather defer to your authority, Sir; but I apprehend that a Minister who is not responsible for any particular act or misconduct is not bound to answer questions about that matter in this House.

MR. J. O'CONNOR

I beg to give Notice that I shall put a question on the Paper to-morrow on this subject, and if the reply I receive is anything like the reply I have received now, I will address to you a question on a point of Order.

MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAM (Lanark, N. W.)

I beg to give Notice that I will ask to-morrow whether the police of, say Walsall, are only responsible to the Watch Committee, and that Ministers have no authority over them?

* MR. MATTHEWS

That is exactly what I said. The only point of contact between the Home Secretary and the provincial police consists of the certificates which he has to issue to enable them to get their share of the money contributed to the Exchequer Contribution Account or to the Pension Fund. If, in the judgment of the Home Secretary, the local force shows want of efficiency, either in numbers or discipline, he can withhold the certificate, and in that way influence those who have authority.

MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAM

I shall call attention to the question on the Estimates.