HC Deb 17 March 1949 vol 462 cc2266-8
33. Mr. Piratin

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the annual average cost to each family residing in the Metropolitan area of the Metropolitan Police precept of 1s. 9¼d.

Mr. Ede

Current statistics do not give reliable figures as to the number of families in the Metropolitan Police District but on the basis of the Registrar-General's estimate that the population of the area is 8¼ million the rate represents an annual cost of 19s. 6d. a head.

Mr. Piratin

Is the Home Secretary aware that I have had a Question down to the Ministry of Health concerning other big cities in the country, and that I already have some information which shows that the rate in other towns is much less than it is in London? Can he also say what benefits the people of London get, in view of the protection given by the police force to a man like Mosley as against that which is given in other parts of the country?

Mr. Ede

Each police force has to be considered on the merits of the area. After all, the capital city of a country presents peculiar difficulties for its police force. No protection, other than that afforded to the ordinary citizen, is given to the person named by the hon. Member.

Mr. C. Poole

Does not that show how much more decent we people in the Provinces are?

37. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what expenses are now incurred by the Metropolitan police in respect of imperial and national services; and by how much these expenses have increased since 1911.

Mr. Ede

As a result of increases in police pay and allowances, and overhead administrative costs, there has undoubtedly been since 1911 a rise in the cost of the national and imperial services rendered by the Metropolitan police, but owing to changes which have occurred over the years in police methods and organisation I cannot at present undertake to make a precise comparison of the costs of these services in 1911 and now. I have been supplied by the Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District with certain figures which I am examining with a view to determining what items of expenditure can properly be attributed to national and imperial services.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Does that reply mean that my right hon. Friend is prepared to consider some increase in the amount of the present contribution from the Exchequer, because the present arrangement is based upon 40-year-old conditions which are no longer relevant?

Mr. Ede

The reply means that I am examining these figures to see whether they represent a fair payment for the services rendered.

38. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Metropolitan police authorities notified municipal authorities in London of the increased precept for police expenses for 1949–50.

Mr. Ede

On 14th February, 1949, Sir.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Will my right hon. Friend examine the constitutional propriety of announcing this increased precept to the local authorities more than three weeks before the estimates on which that precept is based were available to hon. Members of this House? Is it not at least desirable that this House should approve any impost for which the Government are responsible and accountable before taxation is announced or imposed?

Mr. Ede

I think it is desirable that the rating authorities who have to levy the rate should have the information at as early a date as possible. I think that, quite properly, it was sent out on St. Valentine's Day.