§ 14. Mr. H. Hyndasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will provide machinery to enable the local authorities concerned to have some say in framing the annual precept for the Metropolitan Police.
§ Mr. EdeNo, Sir. This would involve the submission of the Metropolitan Police estimates to the local authorities before they are available to this House. I have, however, indicated that I am prepared to meet representatives of the local authorities and discuss the estimates with them after they have been submitted to Parliament.
§ Mr. HyndDoes my right hon. Friend realise the concern with which local 1424 authorities in the London area have received the increased precept this year? Would it not be possible, when the estimates are being submitted to the local authorities, to have some kind of joint committee which could have some say in framing the precept? Is it not a sound principle—"no taxation without representation"?
§ Mr. EdeIt is a perfectly sound principle, and my hon. Friend is vindicating it by putting this Question to me. I am responsible to this House for the Metropolitan Police, and the "representation" is secured by hon. Members of this House taking a lively interest in the matter, as they have done in recent weeks.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonIs not my right hon Friend aware that an important constitutional principle is here involved, in that the estimates on which the precept is based, have not yet been approved by this House or by anyone except my right hon. Friend, although, tomorrow morning the ratepayers of London will be called upon to pay this precept?
§ Mr. EdeA very important constitutional principle is involved. It is that laws passed by this House shall be carried out, and that is being done in this instance.