§ 15. Mr. MATTERSasked the Home Secretary if, in view of the petition he has received from Hereford regarding public dissatisfaction with the administration of the police services of that city ho proposes to withhold payment of the State grant until he is satisfied that such payment is warranted?
§ Mr. CLYNESMy hon. Friend may be assured that grant will not be paid in this or any other case until I am satisfied that the conditions upon which the payment of grant depends have been fulfilled.
Mr. FRANK OWENIf I can satisfy the Home Secretary that there is very genuine concern in the city of Hereford about the administration of the police, will he promise that there shall be a public inquiry into it?
§ Mr. CLYNESI appreciate the point of the question. Probably the hon. Member knows that certain disciplinary proceedings have either been taken or are in abeyance, and I cannot therefore at this stage give a definite pledge, but I shall keep in mind the point of the question.