Colonel THORNEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that private detectives are called upon to arrest deserters from the Navy; if he is aware that the detectives are called upon to pay their own train fares and the train fare of the deserter out of their own pockets in, consequence of no money being advanced to them before starting on the journey; if he is aware that, if the prisoner is taken from any town in the Midlands up to Scotland, not more than 4s. per day is allowed for their expenses; and if he will take action in the matter?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am not aware that private detectives are ever called upon to arrest deserters from the Navy. If the reference is to members of the Metropolitan or County police forces I may observe that there is no occasion for expense to be incurred out of their own pockets for railway fares, as arrangements-have been made with the Home Office for the issue of railway warrants for the conveyance of both the escort and the deserter. The rates of subsistence allowance payable to police officers are fixed by the Home Office.