HC Deb 14 August 1913 vol 56 cc2657-8
76. Mr. C. BATHURST

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he proposes to take any steps to secure that the Police (Weekly Rest-Day) Act, 1910, shall forthwith be put into force in the counties of Hereford. Carmarthen, the East Riding of Yorkshire, the Isle of Wight, Montgomery, Northumberland, Stafford, and East Suffolk, where no arrangements whatever with that object have as yet been made, or in counties like Wilts, Lincoln, Anglesey, Cardigan, Carnarvon, Flint, and Radnor, where, after prolonged delay, the matter is still under consideration?

Mr. McKENNA

No, Sir, I have no power to compel any police authorities to put the Act into force before July, 1914. It is clearly the intention of the Act that time should be allowed to county police forces to bring its provisions into operation gradually, and that these provisions should be modified where the circumstances of rural districts require it. I may say, however, that within the last day or two I have received notice than Wilts and Anglesey are increasing the forces for the purposes of the Act; and no doubt other counties will follow.