§ Mr. MOONEYMay I ask the Home Secretary if he is aware that some police constables engaged in the House were on duty for 18 hours yesterday and this morning, and had to return to duty after only a short absence this morning; and whether the right hon. Gentleman will make inquiries with a view to having arrangements made whereby constables on duty in the House shall be relieved at a reasonable time?
§ Mr. GLADSTONEI am aware of the facts. I have been myself on duty for 24 hours. It is quite clear that relief arrangements cannot be organised to meet the exceptional conditions of very long sittings. When such occur, the practice is for the constables to get time off. They have short rest intervals during the sitting and get Is. a day extra.
§ Mr. MOONEYIs it not a fact that during the sitting last night certain constables were relieved, whereas others were kept on duty the whole of the 18 hours, and did not get the relief because they were back here on duty at 12 o'clock this morning?
§ Mr. GLADSTONEThat is a question of which I have no knowledge. If the hon. Member will speak to me about it, I will look into it. The disadvantage of these long sittings has to be considered relatively to other privileges enjoyed by the police.