MR. WOOTTONISAACSON (Tower Hamlets, Stepney)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of James Monks, mounted police officer of the N Division of the Metropolitan Police, who, about the end of November 1887, was returning from duty in Trafalgar-square, when passing Shaftesbury-avenue his horse fell, causing severe injuries to his right 17 leg, rendering him unable to do duty for five months; subsequently paralysis set in, which has compelled his retirement from the force as unfit for duty, owing to the above injury, and a permanent cripple, on a pension of 8s. 1½d. per week only; and whether, under the lamentable circumstances of the case, he can see his way to increase the pension?
§ MR. ASQUITHI am in communication with the Chief Commissioner of Police, and would be obliged if the hon. Member would postpone his question to Friday, in order that I may have time to look more fully into the case. I venture at the same time to appeal to hon. Members to give longer notice, as it is almost impossible to make the necessary inquiries when the question only appears on the Paper for the first time on the day on which it is put.
§ MR. WOOTTON ISAACSONI gave notice of this three days ago.