HC Deb 22 March 1911 vol 23 cc390-2
Mr. ASHLEY

asked what other sources besides the Metropolitan area police were drawn during the late disturbances in Glamorganshire; and whether the Glamorgan County Council have refused to pay, not only for the Metropolitan police, but also for the men drawn from other districts?

Mr. CHURCHILL

In addition to the Metropolitan and the Glamorganshire police, the police engaged on special duty in connection with the disturbances mentioned were drawn from four counties—namely, Carmarthen, Monmouth, Gloucester, and Brecon—and five boroughs—namely, Cardiff, Bristol, Swansea, Merthyr Tydvil, and Newport. I am informed that it is only in the case of the Metropolitan police that the county council have refused to pay.

Mr. ASHLEY

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the County Council gave any reason why they refuse to pay for the Metropolitan police if they willingly pay for the other police?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I do not think I am called upon to formulate the case of the County Council in repudiating the words of their servant, and avoiding a charge which should properly fall upon them. If I were called upon to do so I should say that I suppose they think that as they could have got soldiers for nothing, and as the police were sent from London to prevent the use of soldiers, they should not have to pay for the police who were in substitution for soldiers who, under the present state of the law, they can get for nothing.

Mr. ASHLEY

Will the right hon. Gentleman see his way to change the law so as to compel local bodies to pay when they get the services of Metropolitan police?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I think it is a most urgent and desirable thing.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

May I ask who is responsible for having the police sent without a proper understanding as to repayment for their services, and whether it is intended to deduct the amount from the salary of the Home Secretary, seeing that the Government will have to pay for these constables?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I am certainly absolutely responsible for sending the police down. As to deducting the amount from the salary of the Secretary of State, it is a very proper matter for the House to consider.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

asked the Home Secretary the result of his interview with the chairman of the joint committee of the Glamorgan County Council anent the tradesmen's police accounts in the Aber-dare Valley?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The chairman of the standing joint committee has refused to discuss the matter with me.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

Will the Home Secretary act on the suggestion that the Treasury should pay these accounts pending a legal decision as to who is ultimately to be responsible?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I am not prepared to make any statement on the subject at the present moment.