§ Earl W1NTERTONasked the Home Secretary whether it is the practice of his Department to request the local police authority to take special precautions to protect from violence Ministers of the Crown when visiting localities outside the Metropolitan Police area for the purpose of making a political speech; and, if so, whether the Home Office makes any grant towards the cost of such precautions; and, if not, under what statute local authorities are asked to incur this burden?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe preservation of order and maintenance of the peace is a matter for which local police authorities are responsible, and expenditure for this purpose falls on local funds; but half the cost of the pay and clothing of the police is repaid from the Exchequer contribution. Cost incurred by local police authorities on the occasion of visits by Ministers of the Crown forms no exception to the general rule.