§ CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the Home Secretary in 1890 stated that he was giving consideration to the question of lodgings for the married tint of the Metropolitan police stationed in the highly-rented inner divisions; and, whether, seeing that since 1890 the difficulty and expense of obtaining lodgings in a respectable neighbourhood has greatly increased, he will make renewed 927 efforts with a view to giving some relief to police constables, who, owing to the nature of their duties, are unable to take advantage of the cheaper rents prevailing; in certain suburban districts.
§ SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (SIR M. WHITE RIDLEY, Lancs, Blackpool)I am aware that my predecessor considered the question referred to, and stated that he was doing so, but he did not see his way to take any action in the direction indicated by the honourable and gallant Member,and I am afraid I lied myself in the same position.