§ MR. COBB (Warwick, S.E., Rugby)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Joseph Hoar is one of the members of the old Dockyard Police who were transferred to the Metropolitan Police in 1860, and, as such, entitled to free quarters; whether, in 1861, Joseph Hoar was ordered into Government quarters, and for some years had free quarters, but in August and September, 1868, and again from September, 1873, till he was pensioned in September, 1887, a deduction of 2s. 6d. a week was made from his pay; whether, during the period when these deductions were being made, other members of the old Dockyard Police were living in Government quarters free; and whether the amount of such deductions will be returned to Joseph Hoar?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. MATTHEWS,) Birmingham, E.Joseph Hoar was one of the members of the old Dockyard Police who, in common with other members of the Dockyard Force, occupied free quarters up to August, 1868. They were not entitled to free quarters, but as a matter of fact they were hot charged any rent for the premises in which they lived. On 22nd August, 1868, Hoar's quarters being required for other purposes, he was removed from them, and had for five years to provide himself with lodgings 1283 at his own cost. During that time no deduction was made from his pay. In September, 1873, Hoar was again placed in quarters, and then from the following October a deduction of 2s. 6d. per week, the usual rate according to his rank, was made from his pay in respect of lodging allowance. The regulations fixing this deduction in the case of men who occupied quarters had been made in August, 1868. While these deductions were being made certain members of the old Dockyard Police were for a period still allowed to live in Government quarters free—namely, police who lived on Water Police ships and police engaged in connection with the administration of the Contagious Diseases Acts. This indulgence has now ceased. The amount of the lodging deduction cannot be returned to the ex-constable, and he has been repeatedly told so; and the whole matter has been explained to him in writing, and at a personal interview which he had with the Commissioner himself.