§ LORD DESBOROUGH moved, That it is expedient that a Tribunal be established under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act, 1921, for inquiring into a definite matter of urgent public importance, that is to say, the matters of complaint that have arisen between the Watch Committee of St. Helens and the Chief Constable of the Borough Police Force touching the administration of the Force.
§ The noble Lord said: My Lords, the matter has arisen in this way. The St. Helens Watch Committee, in September last, after making a disciplinary charge against the Chief Constable of conduct unbecoming his office, required him to resign, purporting to act under Section 1 (2) of the Police Pensions Act, 1921, under which he would have no right of appeal. The Secretary of State, however, took the view that their action was in substance a requirement to resign on disciplinary grounds and that the Chief Constable, therefore, had the right of appeal to him under the Police (Appeals) Act, 1927. The Chief Constable appealed, and the Secretary of State appointed Sir H. Maddocks, K.C., and Sir Leonard Dunning, His Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary, to hold an Inquiry into the appeal. This was duly held, but the Watch Committee held aloof and took no part in it. After considering the report of the Inquiry the Secretary of State in November last determined the appeal in the Chief Constable's favour, and made an order reinstating him as Chief Constable. The Watch Committee thereupon placed him on extended leave, and that is still his position. Since then the Committee have collected information on which they have based further complaints against the Chief Constable, and have now asked that a further public Inquiry should be held into the matters of complaint which have arisen. In these circumstances it appears to the Secretary of State very desirable that there should be a further Inquiry, with wide scope and power to take evidence on oath, and he accordingly proposes that a Tribunal should be established for the purpose, under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act, 1921. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That it is expedient that a Tribunal be established under the 217 Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act, 1921, for inquiring into a definite matter of urgent public importance, that is to say, the matters of complaint that have arisen between the Watch Committee of St. Helens and the Chief Constable of the Borough Police Force touching the administration of the Force.—(Lord Desborough.)
LORD COZENS-HARDYMy Lords, I should like to ask the noble Lord whether it will be open to the Tribunal proposed to be set up to reconsider the issue which was before the public Inquiry recently held, and whether the decision of the Home Secretary in the matter is final 218 Very serious statements were made at that public Inquiry, and I would suggest to the noble Lord that, in fairness to the parties, the findings of the Commissioners at that inquiry, which have been communicated to the parties, should now be published.
§ LORD DESBOROUGHI am afraid I cannot undertake to do that myself, but the matter will be referred to the Home Secretary.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.
§ House adjourned at twenty minutes past six o'clock.