§ CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that upon more than one occasion when contract boots have not been issued to the Metropolitan Police, a sum equal to the contract price per pair was paid to each constable; and whether any difficulty was experienced in connection with the carrying out of this arrangement?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY,) Lancashire, BlackpoolYes, considerable difficulty was experienced on each of the rare occasions on which it was found necessary to make an allowance to the members of the Force in lieu of boots.