§ DR. COOPER (Southwark, Bermondsey)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any, and, if any, how many, new books were added to the libraries of the M Division of Metropolitan Police during the year ending 31st December, 1906; what was the cost of the new books;
† See (4) Debates, clxxl., 1509.1651 whether the constables have any voice in the selection of the books; if not, who selects them; and whether, as nearly every metropolitan borough has adopted the Free Libraries Act, he will consider the advisability of discontinuing the contribution now required from every constable to maintain libraries, and advise them to take advantage of the facilities offered them by the free libraries.
§ MR. GLADSTONEThe contribution referred to is nominal in amount, being only a penny a month. It provides not only books but also newspapers for the recreation and library rooms. The existence of free libraries does not meet the needs served by the stations' libraries. No money appears to have been spent on new books in the M Division during 1906, but there was expenditure on newspapers, etc. Constables, as a rule, have a voice in the selection of books, as it is desirable they should, and where, if anywhere, this practice does not exist, it will be arranged for.
§ DR. COOPERasked if the police, or many of them, were not householders and as such had to pay the free library rate. Why should they be compelled to subscribe to the police library?
§ MR. GLADSTONEIt is a very small amount, and I do not know that it is really compulsory, but I will inquire on that point.