HC Deb 28 November 1916 vol 88 cc173-4
84. Mr. BILLING

asked the Home Secretary whether membership of the Freemason Order comes within the same prohibition as membership of any other society as affecting the Metropolitan Police?

Mr. SAMUEL

There is no special exception for the Order of Freemasons, but the prohibition does not apply to provident associations or to societies such as the Freemasons.

Mr. BILLING

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take any action against any officers of the force who are members of the Freemasons' society?

Mr. SAMUEL

No, Sir; certainly not.

85. Mr. BILLING

asked whether four constables of the Metropolitan Police have been dismissed from the service for advocating the right of forming a union among the policemen; whether these men on joining took any oath not to join any society; and, if so, whether there is any thing in the instruction book given to these men whilst in the police preparatory class which forbids them joining a society?

Mr. SAMUEL

The oath taken on joining the force contains a declaration that the constable will discharge the duties of his office according to law. The instruction book lays down that a constable must readily and strictly obey the orders of his superiors in rank in the police. One of the orders of long standing and well known to the force has been that the members of it are not permitted to be also members of a union. My predecessors and myself have repeatedly stated that a disciplined force like the Metropolitan Police, in view of its special responsibilities for the peace and order of London, can no more be conducted on the basis of trade union recognition, such as prevails in ordinary industry, than could the Army or Navy. A special instruction with reference to this matter, which included a warning that any violation of it might result in dismissal, was brought to the notice of every member of the force in December, 1913, and since then every new recruit has had his attention specially drawn to it. The Commissioner recently found it necessary to dismiss four constables who had deliberately contravened the explicit orders which had been given on this subject, and while I greatly regret that the occasion should have arisen, I entirely endorse the action which he has taken.

Mr. BILLING

Will the right hon. Gentleman state the exact maximum number of police officers who may congregate together to discuss their grievances?

Mr. SAMUEL

Perhaps the hon. Member will give notice of that.

Mr. BILLING

I will.