§ 24. Mr. Stonehouseasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the amount of the imperial contribution to the Metropolitan police in the year 1910–11, and the proportion of this contribution to total expenditure in that year; what was the amount of the imperial contribution to the Metropolitan police in the year 1955–56, and the proportion of this contribution to total expenditure in that year; and what would be the amount of the imperial contribution if the proportion had been similar to that in the year 1910–11.
§ Mr. SimonThe amount of the Exchequer grant to the Metropolitan police in respect of imperial and national services was £100,000 in each of the financial years 1910–11 and 1955–56. The grant represented 3.88 per cent. of the total net expenditure of the Metropolitan police in 1910–11 and .47 per cent. in 1955–56. The amount of the grant in 1955–56 would have been £819,984 if it had borne the same proportion to the total expenditure as in 1910–11.
§ Mr. StonehouseWhile thanking the Joint Under-Secretary for that very full reply, may I ask him to assure the House that his right hon. Friend will have a 2086 look at this position to correct what is an injustice to ratepayers in the Metropolitan area, in view of the fact that the imperial functions of the Metropolitan police have been increased but the imperial contribution remains the same as it was in 1910?
§ Mr. SimonMajor Lloyd-George, as he then was, when he was Home Secretary, received a deputation on this subject, and, as a result of that, records are now being kept, so that the matter can be reviewed in the light of modern information.
§ Mr. LiptonDo not the records reveal that the £100,000 fixed in 1910 is now completely inadequate?
§ Mr. SimonNo, Sir. I think it is too early to make any firm pronouncement until we have seen the comparative figures.