§ MR. BOULNOISI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider the desirability of giving effect to the suggestion, recently made by the Chief Magistrate, that crossing sweepers in the Metropolis should be licensed by the police?
§ MR. ASQUITHBy Section 118 of the Metropolis Management Act, 1855, Vestries and District Boards are empowered to employ and pay crossing sweepers, who are to be distinguished by dress or some distinctive badge as public servants. Under Section 29 of the Public Health (London Act), 1891, Vestries and District Boards are bound under a penalty of £20 to keep the streets and footways clean. It would be very undesirable, and I do not understand that the Chief Magistrates suggested, that the licensing of crossing sweepers should be undertaken by the police, who are under no such obligation and have no such power.