§ 30. Captain W. BENNasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the work of the special department of Scotland Yard has been modified or curtailed since the retirement of Sir Basil Thomson?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Shortt)As I informed the House last month, the Department referred to is being reorganised with a view to securing greater efficiency and economy. To that end modifications are being carried out, and it is hoped that economies may be effected.
§ Captain BENNIs the work described by the late Chief as being his work being continued by his successor?
§ Mr. SHORTTI am afraid that I do not know what the late Chief has described as being his work.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYCan the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hope of this purely War-time Department being wound up as being altogether un-English and against our traditions?
§ Mr. SHORTTIt is not a War-time Department at all.
§ Captain BENNIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to say that the work of cataloguing political opinions and watching political meetings—purely political work as distinguished from criminal work—has been now abandoned?
§ Mr. SHORTTNo, Sir.
§ Mr. GWYNNEAre we to understand that this very important work, in view of the unrest throughout the world, is being curtailed at the present time?
§ Mr. SHORTTI have not said anything of the sort. I said that it was being modified with a view to greater efficiency.
§ 33. Mr. G. THORNEasked the Home Secretary what Vote bore the cost of the work of Sir Basil Thomson as recently described by him?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe expenditure I described in reply to a question in this House on the 10th November is borne by the Metropolitan Police Fund, the Treasury grants to which are included in the Vote for Police (England and Wales).
§ Captain W. BENNIs any of the work described by Sir Basil Thomson in his articles paid for out of Secret Service money?
§ Mr. SHORTTI am afraid I cannot answer that, because I have not read the articles.