§ MR. KEARLEY (Devonport)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that an Order has been recently issued by the Chief Commissioner of Police to the Superintendents of the Metropolitan Police employed in the Government. Dockyards, stating that all men who have any relatives in any Government establishment in the respective ports are 471 to be transferred to other divisions; whether this is an enlargement of the established Rule to which the men raise no objection — namely, that no man should have relatives in the particular establishment where he does duty; whether he is aware that the effect of the enforcement of this new Order will subject several men of over 20 years' local service to removal, and the consequent breaking-up of their homes, and that many have already signified their intention of resigning the force in consequence; and whether, considering the severity of its effect, he will allow the original provisions as to relations to continue to suffice?
§ MR. ASQUITHThe Order recently issued by the Chief Commissioner of Police merely re-states and requires the observance of the Rule which has always been in force. The Rule is as follows:—
No constable be allowed to continue in any yard or other establishment in which they have relatives at work.The non-observance of the Rule in some cases was found to lead to abuses which it became necessary to check. As to the third and fourth paragraphs of the question, the Commissioner has the matter under his personal consideration. Each case will be specially referred to him, and every effort will be made, consistently with the necessities of the service, to inflict the least possible inconvenience.
§ MR. KEARLEYDo I understand that there has been no amendment of the Rule; that, in fact, this is no new Rule?
§ MR. ASQUITHNo new Rule at all.