§ MR. T. DAVIESI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, having regard to the action of the French Chamber in passing almost unanimously a measure making it obligatory on all employers of labour to grant one day's rest in seven to their employees, he will reconsider the matter of granting the men of the Metropolitan Police a similar boon; and whether, if he cannot at once grant one day's rest in seven, he will consider if it is not possible to grant thorn one day in ten as an instalment.
§ MR. GLADSTONEThe Bill adopted by the French Chamber applies only to commercial and industrial employments and not to the Police. In any event the case of the English Police (who, it must be remembered, are entitled after twenty-six years' service to retire on pension and enjoy seven days rest a week) must be considered on its own merits. I have already, in reply to previous Questions, 1338 explained the difficulties, chiefly financial, which stand in the way of adopting the hon. Member's suggestions; and as regards my position in the matter I beg to refer him to the debate in the House of Commons on June 7th.