§ DR. COOPER (Southwark, Bermondsey)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any of the Metropolitan Police were employed in maintaining order at Ascot during the race meeting, and, if any, how many; and whether any of the cost of such duty will be defrayed out of the Metropolitan Police rate.
§ * MR. GLADSTONEThe Metropolitan Police were engaged in maintaining order at Ascot during the race meeting, the numbers employed on this duty being, on the 19th, 563; 20th, 506; 21st, 628; and on the 22nd, 456. The cost will not fall on the Metropolitan Police rate.
§ DR. COOPERasked on whose authority the Metropolitan Police were called upon 1139 to do duty at the expense of the ratepayers nine miles beyond the boundary of the Metropolitan Police area.
§ * MR. GLADSTONEI have already said the cost does not fall on the metropolitan rate. As regards the practice, I can only say it has been carried on for a great number of years, and this is the first time my attention has been called to it. I cannot say exactly on whose authority the police are sent.
§ MR. MORTON (Sutherland)asked who paid the cost.
§ * MR. GLADSTONEI understand that the principal cost is borne by the Master of the Buckhounds and the railway company.
§ MR. THORNEasked if the police received extra pay for their extra duty.
§ * MR. GLADSTONEI am not aware that it is extra duty.
§ MR. MORTONasked if the Master of the Buckhounds received payment from the public funds.
§ * MR. GLADSTONEI am not aware.
§ [No Answer was returned]