§ MR. T. LOUGH (Islington, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the legal advisers of the Crown have yet given an answer with reference to the case of Mr. Ruff, late Inspector in the Metropolitan Police Force, and whether their opinion was favourable to the claim that Mr. Ruff's pension should be reconsidered; and, whether he would concede Mr. Ruff's claim, rather than throw upon him the trouble of litigation: and afterwards, if it should be found to be necessary or desirable, to take steps to make the law upon the point clearer?
MR. GEORGE RUSSELLI have received an opinion of the law officers of the Crown in this case, but, in my opinion, the matter is of so much importance that it is desirable that an authoritative decision should be obtained in a Court of Law. Mr. Ruff has been informed that if he will carry the appeal to an issue, his reasonable costs for legal assistance will be paid, and he has now stated that he accepts this offer, and has given the necessary instructions to his solicitors.