HC Deb 20 September 1909 vol 11 cc186-7

In addition to the sums payable out of moneys provided by Parliament for specified services of the Metropolitan Police, and as salaries under the Metropolitan Police Act, 1899, there shall be paid in each year out of moneys provided by Parliament in respect of services rendered by the Metropolitan Police for Imperial and National purposes such sum as the Secretary of State, with the appoval of the Treasury, may determine.

Question put, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill."

3.0 A.M.

Mr. CLAUDE HAY

I wish to move "That the Chairman do now report Progress and ask leave to sit again." The Second Reading of the Bill was taken in the very early hours of last Thursday morning, and on that occasion the Secretary of State for the Home Department made a speech in which he gave a great deal of information necessary to the understanding of this Bill. Owing to the lateness of the hour his speech did not appear in any of the newspapers, and only appeared in the OFFICIAL REPORT on Friday. Then on Thursday the Money Resolution relating to this Bill was taken, and again, owing to the lateness of the hour, the speech of the Home Secretary, also one of importance, was not available to be studied by Members of the House until Saturday.

Attention called to the fact that forty Members were not present. House counted, and forty Members being found present,

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Herbert Gladstone)

It is unnecessary to make this Motion now, as I am quite ready to meet hon. Gentlemen opposite. We quite realise this is a very late hour, and that we have previously discussed the Bill at late hours. We do not, however, wish to press it on unfairly, and I shall be quite ready to assent to putting the Bill down for a subsequent day, but I think hon. Members ought not to put any undue difficulties in the way.

Mr. HAY

In view of what the right hon. Gentleman has said, I am sure we feel satisfied. We do not want to do anything to impede the progress of the Bill. What I, and those for whom I act, were anxious for was that the various local authorities and other persons interested in the Bill should have an opportunity of reading the discussions and communicating their views on this question to the House. If the right hon. Gentleman will put down this Bill next week every facility will be given.

ADJOURNMENT—Resolved: That this House do now adjourn.—[Mr. Joseph Pease.]

Adjourned accordingly at Ten minute after Three o'clock a.m. (Tuesday, 21st September).