HC Deb 19 November 1912 vol 44 cc116-9W
Captain JESSEL

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what system food and drink were supplied to members of the Metropolitan Police Force employed at Sidney Street, the funeral of King Edward, the Coronations of King Edward and King George, the Investiture at Carnarvon, and the recent dock strike; and whether he proposes to adopt any different system on future occasions of this kind, so as to alleviate any hardship to the men?

Mr. McKENNA

In order to state the arrangements which were made for supplying food and drink to the Metropolitan Police on each of the occasions referred to, it will be necessary for me to reply at some length to the hon. Member's questions:—

(1) The Sidney Street incident occurred quite unexpectedly, and was one for which no commissariat arrangements could have adequately provided, even if there had been time to make them. Police were hurried to the spot at a moment's notice, and on arrival found that they had to keep back from the danger zone a crowd so dense that it effectually cut off some of the men on duty from the adjacent police stations. The attention of superior officers was concentrated on efforts to overcome the criminals in the house, and to see that no unnecessary risk of life was incurred by spectators. Even under the stress of such conditions men, as far as practicable, were regularly relieved to enable them to go to the adjacent police stations, where supplies were available. In addition there were numerous refreshment houses within reach.

It no doubt happened that individual men were without food for an unduly long period, notably certain superior officers, but this was unavoidable, and no commissariat arrangements could have prevented it.

An offer was made about noon at Leman Street to purchase provisions and send them in a van to Sidney Street for the use of the police. The divisional inspector pointed out that it would not in the circumstances be possible for the van to reach in time those whose needs it was intended to relieve because of the dense intervening crowd, and doubtless he expected that the resistance of the criminals in the house might at any moment be overcome.

(2) As regards the funeral of King Edward VII., it would have been impossible, owing to the unprecedented crowds, to relieve for refreshment purposes any of the police along the line of route. They were, therefore, dependent on the food which by a general order they had been warned to bring with them to be consumed while they were in position along the route. The police were directed to be in position at 6 a.m., and after the funeral procession had passed they were dismissed from their posts as soon as the condition of the crowds made it possible. The funeral left Paddington by train at noon.

(3) At the Coronations of King Edward VII. and King George a ration in portable form and packed in a suitable box was supplied to each member of the force for each day of the festivities. The composition of this ration was determined after very careful inquiry so as to secure a ration nutritious, palatable, and of small bulk; thirst quenchers were also supplied. Supplies were available at all station messes along the line of route and wherever the police were temporarily located; and at several stations extra room was taken in and fitted up so as to render the messes more capacious. Many residents along the line of route offered beforehand their hospitality to the police, and provided food and rest for those officers who could avail themselves of their kindness. Contracts were made for the supply of food and light refreshments with various contractors. Further, on the occasion of the Coronation of King George a contract was made for the supply of light refreshments from vans stationed in by-streets along the route. One contractor alone supplied thirty-two such vans. It was arranged with the Metropolitan Water Board and the various borough councils to have numerous drinking water stand-pipes all along the line of route.

(4) Before agreeing to send Metropolitan police to Carnarvon on the occasion of the Investiture of the Prince of Wales, the Commissioner arranged that the local authorities should provide suitable lodging and food for the men, but, after a personal examination on the spot, he satisfied himself that the lodging and food provided were unsatisfactory. The men were then and there informed that they would receive the full subsistence and lodging allowance of their rank as laid down in the Regulations, so that they could supplement from this Grant the provision made locally. In the case of a constable this allowance was 5s. a day.

(5) The subject of catering for the needs of the Metropolitan Police employed on strike duty on the occasion of the recent London Dock strike received special attention. On each of the four divisions concerned arrangements were made for the supply of good and varied refreshments at the station messes, including the supply of tea, coffee, cocoa, etc. Most of the men were on reserve, and when on reserve at a station had the mess in the same building. There were ample mess arrangements at both Poplar and Tower Bridge, and tea and coffee were procurable there. Those on reserve at the docks were either relieved to get refreshment from the nearest station mess or from refreshment houses, or had their wants supplied within the dock by contractors. At the Albert Dock a special marquee was put up, at the Victoria Docks a contractor had vans; at the Surrey Commercial Docks hot and cold meals were supplied at workmen's prices at all hours; and at the other docks the men were relieved at suitable periods. The men on duty in the streets were similarly relieved to enable them to obtain refreshment.

On the occasion of a riot suddenly breaking at Mill Pond Bridge a number of men who were about to be dismissed on the completion of their tour of duty had to be sent off to deal with the riot. This was one of the sudden emergencies necessarily incident to police duty for which it is impossible to provide, but it should be noted that the men had been relieved for refreshment during their previous duty. I think the hon. Member will agree after reading this statement, that the authorities at New Scotland Yard devoted much care to providing for the police employed on these occasions facilities for obtaining necessary refreshments, and I can assure him that in future the best arrangements possible will be made having regard to the special circumstances of each occasion as it arises.