§ DR. MACNAMARA (Camberwell, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the fact that the balance of the Metropolitan Police Fund now stands at £711,155 14s. 1d.; whether that, notwithstanding this accumulated balance, the maximum rate of 5d. on the local authorities is still levied; and whether he will consider the advisableness of reducing the amount of the rate, having regard to the increased rateable value of London in the new quinquennial valuation now coming in force.
§ MR. GLADSTONEThe amount mentioned represents the balance on the 31st March, 1905, as stated in the accounts presented to Parliament; but the overdrawn balance of the Police Pension Fund has to be deducted from it, leaving a net balance of £533,196 0s. 2d. The balance of the Police Fund at the close of the financial year is always large, owing to the fact that during the last few days of March heavy payments are made from the Local Taxation Account, as well as by various Government Departments, for the service of the police. The amount so received during the last ten days of March, 1905, was £273,887. But at other periods of the year it falls so low as to be at times insufficient to meet the actual needs of the service: for instance, taking the current financial year, pending the receipt of the sum due on the January rate warrants the balance had disappeared altogether, and it was necessary to borrow money to meet the pay of the force. I will give the whole matter my careful consideration before the next rate warrants are issued: but having regard to the constantly increasing demands for augmentations of the force, I am afraid I can hold out no hope of a reduction in the amount of the police rate.