§ Brought from the Commons.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 1ª.—(Viscount Allendale.)
§ On Question, Bill read 1ª, and to be printed.
§ VISCOUNT ALLENDALEMy Lords, special constables are usually appointed under the Special Constables Act, 1831, which for present purposes is somewhat out-of-date. It is very desirable that special constables should be organised in close connection with the Police forces and should be under the same control. Under the Bill this will be done by Order in Council, and, where necessary, the provisions of the existing Police Acts will be applied to special constables. In particular the provisions of the Police Acts with regard to allowances to constables injured on duty and to the dependants of constables killed on duty will be applied to special constables, subject to any necessary modifications. Under the existing law, as governed by the Special Constables Act, 1831, special constables can be appointed only in view of actual or apprehended tumult; riot, or felony. It is very desirable that under present conditions there should be power to appoint special constables for the purpose of strengthening the Police forces when there is no immediate apprehension of riot, etc. The Bill enables this to be done, and any appointments already made without sufficient authority are validated.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2ª.—(Viscount Allendale.)
§ On Question (Standing Order No. XXXIX having been suspended) Bill read 2ª: Committee negatived: Bill read 3ª, and passed. (No. 260.)