§ Mr. SEXTON (by Private Notice)asked the Home Secretary if he has received the Report of the Commission 1187 of Inquiry in connection with the dispute between the Chief Constable of St. Helens and the local Watch Committee, and what steps, if any, he intends to take thereon?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSYes, Sir, and in communicating the result of the inquiry to the Watch Committee on Tuesday last I made it clear to them that in view of the terms of the Report the Chief Constable, who has been on extended leave of absence, must resume his duties forthwith. I recognise that the Report raises other considerations of great importance, but as it has only been in the hands of the Watch Committee for a few days, I think it better to make no further statement at present.
§ Mr. SEXTONMay I respectfully submit to the right hon. Gentleman that he will consider the advisability of asking the representatives of the local Watch Committee to come and see him in London and discuss the possibility of a peaceful method of dealing with the situation being [...]ved at?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have seen the Watch Committee at their request on previous occasions, and, if they make any such request to me again, I shall be only too pleased to see them.
§ Mr. HAYESMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been drawn to the extraordinary discrepancy in the findings, in which the Commissioners declare that the high state of efficiency of the force has been brought about by the Chief Constable, and yet there is an admission in the Report that no single officer of the force has been granted efficiency pay by the Chief Constable?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a question which should appear on the Order Paper.