§ 40. Mr. HAYESasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Police-constable. William Bates, Wolver-hampton Police Force, was called upon by the chief constable to resign on account of the police constable's wife having been convicted of petty larceny, and that the police constable was threatened with dismissal if he did not do so; will he state under what statutory Regulation or section of the discipline code the chief constable has power to carry out this threat; and, in view of the constable's 35 years' service, what compensation is proposed for the loss of his livelihood when innocent of any dereliction of duty?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am aware of the facts of this case, and I under stand that the watch committee came to the conclusion that if the constable was not prepared to resign, there would be no alternative to dismissing him. In a borough force the power of dismissal rests, not with the chief constable, bat with the watch committee under Section 191 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1885. There is no specific provision in the Police Regulations on the point in question, and there is no power to grant compensation.
§ Mr. HAYESWere the Police Regulations and the disciplinary code not framed in order that no man should be wrongfully dismissed? Is this man to be 646 subject to dismissal apart from the disciplinary code?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe powers of dismissal are exercised, not by myself, but by the watch committee.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSUnder my Regulations. They have, under my Regulations, dismissed this man. I cannot interfere.
§ Mr. HAYESDo I understand that this man has been dismsised under the statutory Regulations made by the right hon. Gentleman?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI must assume, as I do assume, that the watch committee of an important town like Wolverhampton are acting in accordance with the law and (he Regulations. They have dismissed this man.
§ Mr. HAYESCan I have a reply to that part of my question, which asked under what statutory Regulation or section of the discipline code the chief constable has power to carry out this threat of dismissal?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI can only answer that the watch committee act under the whole of the Regulations. Under which particular Regulation they have acted I do not know.
§ Mr. HAYESWould the right hon. Gentleman look at the Regulations, and if he be satisfied that there is no Regulation under which this man has been dismissed, will he communicate with the watch committee so as to have their action rectified?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI must consider that. The hon. Member had better put the question on the Paper. He is now introducing, or affecting to introduce, powers to myself which I do not think I possess.
§ Mr. MACLEANDoes any Regulation exist that affects the police to the extent that if any small offence is committed by any member of the family, the individual who is a member of the police force is to be punished by dismissal?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member had better put that question on the Paper.