MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Metropolitan Police Regulations permit constables, while on special or ordinary duty at a polling station, to record their votes in vestry elections where the voting is open; whether two constables were reported to the Commissioner for recording their votes while on special duty at the recent vestry election at Walthamstow; and whether one of the two constables was removed to another station in consequence; and, if so, whether he will have him restored, and make such alterations in the Police Regulations as will prevent constables being punished for exercising the franchise?
§ MR. MATTHEWSThe answer to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. No police-constables were reported for recording their votes on the occasion referred to. A complaint was made by a private individual that two constables had voted whilst on duty, and he was informed that there was nothing in what was complained of to which exception would be taken. No constable was removed to another station in connection with this matter. This question is a mere repetition of a question which the hon. Member put to me on Monday last, and I must refer him to my reply on that occasion.