§ Mr. CASSELasked whether any part of the expense of sending members of the Metropolitan police force to Wales in the course of last year had been or would be a charge on the rates, or whether the whole of such expenditure had been or would be paid out of Imperial funds; and, if so, under what Vote?
§ Mr. McKENNANo part of the expenditure in question will remain a charge on the Metropolitan police rates. Provision for paying it from Imperial funds has been made in the Vote for Police (England and Wales) in the Estimates for the next financial year—but of course without prejudice to its ultimate repayment by the county of Glamorgan.
§ Lord BALCARRESDoes the right hon. Gentleman propose to reintroduce the Expenses of Police Bill?
§ Mr. McKENNAI could not reply to that question now.
§ Lord BALCARRESIf the Bill is not reintroduced, will it be possible to charge this money to the county of Glamorgan?
§ Mr. McKENNAA kindred question is being decided by the Courts at the present time. Meanwhile, I should not like to express an opinion as to the legal liability of the county.
§ Mr. CASSELHas it at present been charged on the London rates? The right hon. Gentleman said that it would not remain a charge.
§ Mr. McKENNAThe police are a charge upon the London rates, and any expenditure incurred by them is primarily defrayed out of the ordinary charge for the police. In cases like the one in question the money expended is recovered. As the county of Glamorgan has not yet paid the money, it will be recovered in the first instance from the Treasury.
§ Mr. REMNANTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that his predecessor distinctly told us that this money would not be charged to the Metropolitan police?
§ Mr. McKENNAThat is so, and it will not be.