HL Deb 03 March 1857 vol 144 cc1721-2

Order of the Day for the House to be put into Committee read. House in Committee accordingly.

THE EARL OF SANDWICH moved an addition to Clause 11, that no person should be eligible to a new or additional office of Chief Constable whose age exceeded fifty years.

EARL GRANVILLE

opposed the Amendment, on the ground that it would introduce exceptional cases, with which it would be inconvenient and difficult to deal in the face of an inflexible rule.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

supported the Amendment.

THE EARL OF HARDWICKE

thought, considering that the constitutions of men differed so much, it would be better to leave the question of age in this matter to the magistrates or the Crown, to be decided according to circumstances.

Amendment negatived.

VISCOUNT DUNGANNON moved, That no person shall be eligible to fill the office of chief constable who has been a bankrupt, or who has passed through the Insolvent Court, unless such bankruptcy or insolvency shall be proved to the satisfaction of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Home Department to have arisen from unforeseen or unfortunate circumstances, and not to have been the result of fraud or reckless extravagance.

EARL GRANVILLE

thought the addition proposed was unnecessary. In the regulations made compulsory upon the magistrates they were bound to state to the Secretary of State any special fact respecting the chief constable which came to their knowledge, and when such a fact as the insolvency or bankruptcy of this officer was represented to the Secretary of State he would certainly institute an inquiry into the circumstances. This, therefore, would answer the object which the noble Viscount had in view.

After a few words from the Earl of POWIS,

On Question, Committee divided:—Content 3; Not Content 10: Majority 7.

Amendment negatived.

Bill reported, without amendment; and to be read 3a on Thursday next.