§ 24. Mr. RAMSDENasked the Home Secretary whether in the majority of cases the voting papers at the recent strike ballot of police were handed out to the men in open fashion and similarly collected by individuals connected with the 2190 police union; and if he will in future give every facility and protection to the police throughout the country on the occasion of a similar ballot to have their views recorded in an authorised legal and secret manner?
§ Mr. SHORTTI have, of course, no official information on this subject, but statements I have received appear to indicate clearly that the answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have no control over ballots held by the body calling itself the Police and Prison Officers' Union; but every facility is and will be given for the proper conduct of elections to the Representative Boards which are the only bodies having a right to speak on behalf of the police.