§ Mr. LONSDALEasked what is the total amount of expenditure entailed by the Hounsditch shooting affray and the subsequent search for and conflict with the criminals in Sidney Street, and the destruction of the premises in which they had taken refuge, including the expenses of the police and the military, and the compensation awarded to persons injured or whose property was destroyed; and whether this expenditure has been provided for in the Estimates for the current financial year?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLA Board is now sitting to determine what compensation should be granted and to whom for damage done in connection with this affair; and any compensation incurred will be paid in equal shares from the City and Metropolitan Police Funds. The other expenses referred to are ordinary police expenses for which no special provision has to be made. The police are maintained primarily for the prevention of crime and the arrest of criminals, and it would be impossible to say how much of the total cost is to be allocated to the performance of their duties on any particular occasion. As for the military expenses, as I have already said in reply to a question in this House, they amounted to £6 only.