§ 41. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in appointing Lord Byng the Chief Commissioner of Police, he issued any special instructions to him to investigate the conditions now prevailing at Scotland Yard and to report what steps might be necessary to reorganise the Department and the rules on which it is at present run?
§ Sir WILLIAM JOYNSON-HICKSThe answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAWill the right hon. Gentleman say what was meant by "a stem call to duty" if nothing in the nature of special instructions were given?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI think the hon. and gallant Member may be contusing "a stern call to duty" with "a call to stern duty." I made a stern call to Lord Byng to carry out this great duty.
§ Mr. HAYESIf the need for the appointment of Lord Byng is so urgent, why wait until November for the appointment to take effect?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe Commissioner does not retire till then.
§ Mr. HAYESMay we understand that the present Commissioner is not able to deal with the matter which Lord Byng is called upon to deal with?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNot at all. The Commissioner is unable to deal with the duties of Commissioner after 1st November, because he is retiring on that date, and I have to find a new Commissioner to take over all the duties of Commissioner as from that date.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIf the facts are as stated, would it not have been possible in the interval to have made inquiries to see whether there was not a man out of work who would have been—[Interruption]—whether there was not a capable man for this position available in the country without going to a gentleman who at least is retired and fairly comfortably well off?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI do not understand the hon. Member's suggestion. He is out of work.
§ Mr. W. THORNEWill the present Commissioner have complete control until November?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe Commissioner will be in such control as he always is, but, of course, as the hon. Member knows, the Commissioner is subject to the Home Secretary, who is subject to the House of Commons. I am responsible, and shall be responsible, for the actions of Sir William Horwood until his retirement?
§ Mr. HAYESMay I ask if the Commissioner is not already getting on with the job of dealing with this mysterious business which demands such a stern call to duty?
§ Mr. HARRISWhy is it necessary to give so many months' notice of the appointment of a successor? It is not usual.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI really think I might defer answering these questions until Wednesday, when a Debate is taking place. I will make a full statement then.
§ 42. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Home Secretary how many years Sir William Horwood has occupied the position of Chief Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police; what was his salary on appointment; what increases, if any, have been given him during his term of office; is it his intention to recommend a pension to this officer on his retirement; if so, what the amount is to be; and is Sir William Horwood in receipt of a pension from any other Government Department, and has he been in receipt of such a pension, if any, during the period of his service as Chief Commissioner?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSBrigadier-General Sir William Horwood was appointed Commissioner of Police on the 20th April, 1920. The salary was then £2,000 a year, rising to £2,500 after five years, but was increased four months later to £3,000 a year, with retrospective effect from the date of the appointment, on the recommendation of a committee under the chairmanship of the late Lord Oxford and Asquith, which reviewed the emoluments of all the principal posts on the 1853 civil establishments. Cost-of-living bonus was payable in addition until August, 1921. The pension on retirement at 60 will be £1,000 per annum. Sir William Horwood has no pension from any other Government Department.
§ Mr. LANSBURYDo I understand that the increase dates from the time of the Chief Commissioner's appointment, so that he will be paid £3,000 a year for the whole period of his appointment; and he receives a nice little bonus for the cost of living? [HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"] I wish to know the amount of bonus paid to this gentleman. According to the report of the committee, he should have been paid £3,000 a year from the time of his appointment. I want to know what is the amount of the bonus?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIt is the difference between £2,500 and £3,000 a year for four months, that is one-third of £600.
§ Mr. PALINGHow many workers in this country have had their wages raised at the same rate during the same time?
§ Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOXIs not this the best possible testimony to Sir William Horwood's efficiency?