§ CAPTAIN NORTONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is a rule in the Metropolitan Police Force that any officer charged with an offence against the rules of the service is entitled to meet his accuser face to face and to question the said accuser in the presence of a superior officer; and, whether this rule is invariably adhered to?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY,) Lancashire, BlackpoolThe general rule is as stated in the Question, but the hon. Member will admit that complaints against a constable cannot be altogether ignored in cases where the complainant does not attend in person. In all cases, however, if after careful inquiry the matter appears to be in doubt, the complainant is referred to a magistrate.