HC Deb 30 December 1912 vol 46 c11
15. Mr. WEDGWOOD

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the resignation of two police constables in Manchester because they did not get the usual advance in pay; whether, on asking why their increase had been withheld, they were told by the superintendent of the division that they had not done their duty in that they had not brought enough cases before the Court; whether pressure of this sort upon the police force is in accordance with the intentions and wishes of His Majesty's Government; and, if the facts are as stated, what steps he proposes to take to reinstate the officers concerned?

Mr. McKENNA

I have communicated with the Chief Constable, and am informed that there is no ground whatever for the suggestion that the contables' rise of pay was interfered with by their superintendents on account of their not bringing more cases into Court.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

Will my right hon. Friend refer to the report of a case in the Press and see whether there was any ground for the evidence of police-constables themselves that they had been told that their advance was stopped because they had not brought sufficient cases to the Court?

Mr. McKENNA

That is precisely the question which my hon. Friend has put on the Paper, and the answer to that question is in the negative.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

Has the report been brought to the attention of my right hon. Friend?

Mr. McKENNA

Yes; and I have given the result not only of the inquiry referred to, but of an inquiry by the Chief Constable.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

Would pressure of this sort be in accordance with the intentions and wishes of the Government?

Mr. McKENNA

My hon. Friend may be quite satisfied that it would not.