§ 61. Sir J. REMNANTasked the Home Secretary whether it has been the custom for the Assistant Commissioner in charge of the Special Intelligence Branch of New Scotland Yard to prepare a weekly Report for the use of the Government; and whether it was furnished to the Home Secretary for communication to the Cabinet or whether it was sent to the Chief Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police?
§ Mr. SHORTTYes, Sir. The weekly report in question was sent to me for 608 communication to the Cabinet. An early copy was also sent direct by the Assistant Commissioner to the Commissioner.
§ Sir J. REMNANTWere these weekly reports signed by Sir Joseph Byrne?
§ Mr. SHORTTNo weekly reports were signed by him.
§ Sir J. REMNANTNor any report?
§ Mr. SHORTTCertainly no report.
§ 65. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Home Secretary if he can now state the annual present cost of the special branch of Scotland Yard recently under the control of Sir Basil Thomson; whether this includes expenditure from Secret Service funds and, if so, what proportion is so expended; what was the cost of this special branch last year; what salary and allowances did Sir Basil Thomson receive as head of the branch; and what pension is he receiving?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe pay, allowances, travelling and other expenses of the police officers and clerical staff employed in the branch referred to cost approximately £70,000 per annum, and the corresponding figure for the last financial year was about the same with the addition of the police bonus. Sir Basil Thomson received a salary of £2,000, and his pension has been fixed at £1,120, to commence on the 1st December, when he retires and ceases to draw salary. The above figures do not include expenditure from secret service funds, as to which, in accordance with the recognised practice, I cannot give information.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs it the fact that this expenditure of £70,000 has only resulted in the deportation of four revolutionary aliens in the last year, and, in the interests of economy, could not this branch be cut down?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the question on the paper.