HC Deb 23 October 1902 vol 113 cc611-2
MR. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can state what sentence has been passed upon the London policeman who was recently convicted of perjury, and what witnesses were examined for the prosecution.

* THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. AKERS DOUGLAS, Kent, St. Augustine's)

The sentence passed on ex-Police Constable Rolls is five years penal servitude. The prosecutor was Joseph Wheelerbread, and his evidence was supported by twelve private persons and six police officers.

MR. MACVEAGH

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake that copies of the depositions and a transcript of the shorthand notes of the remarks made by the judge in passing sentence will be forwarded to the Chief Secretary for Ireland?

MR. WILLIAM O'BRIEN (Cork)

May I ask if the Crown counsel in this case was instructed to state that the aggrieved party——

* MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! Notice should be given of this.

MR. WILLIAM O'BRIEN

But it arises directly out of the Question.

* MR. SPEAKER

The Question on the Paper is what sentence was passed and what witnesses were examined. That has been answered.

MR. DELANY (Queen's County, Ossory)

Did the Treasury bear the cost of this policeman's defence?

* MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The hon. Member must give notice.

MR. MACVEAGH

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the levy made in the different police barracks of London for the defence of the London policeman recently convicted for perjury was approved by the authorities; whether it is a fact that his bailsmen were London police officers; whether the constable was afforded an opportunity of resigning from the force before dismissal; and whether it is intended to award the constable any compassionate allowance from public funds.

* MR. AKERS DOUGLAS

I have no knowledge of any such levy. The bailsmen for ex-Police Constable Rolls were not police officers. He was not allowed to resign, nor did he ask to do so. His dismissal followed as a matter of course on the result of the trial. A police constable on dismissal forfeits all claim to compassionate or other allowance.

MR. WILLIAM O'BRIEN

Was the aggrieved person in this case told that it was his duty to bring the police perjurer to justice, and was he obliged to pay his own expenses in doing so?

* MR. AKERS DOUGLAS

I cannot answer that Question without notice.

MR. WILLIAM O'BRIEN

Then I give notice of it.

MR. MACVEAGH

The Question itself asks whether a collection was taken.

* MR. SPEAKER

And that has been answered.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Will the right hon. Gentleman give this valuable constable as a present to the Irish Secretary?

MR. MACVEAGH

Make him a removable magistrate in return for his valuable services.