§ Mr. ROWNTREEasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that nine men of the W Division have been fined in amounts varying from two to five days' pay (9s. 10d. to 25s.) and severely reprimanded for assisting allotment-holders by digging ground in their own time; and whether, as these men were performing work of national importance, although committing a technical offence in not having obtained the permission of the Commissioner, he is prepared to advise the Commissioner to refund these amounts and remove any other punishment which has been inflicted on these men?
§ Sir G. CAVENine constables of the W. Division have been fined and reprimanded for engaging without permission in garden work on a considerable scale1892W for a publican and for other private persons. At the station in question permission to work in gardens had been freely given to men desiring it on the express condition that the work should not be extended without further permission. The constables referred to deliberately contravened this condition and were dealt with accordingly. They had a. right of appeal against the sentence which they did not exercise. I may add that in all divisions encouragement has been given to the men to work on the land under conditions that will safeguard the efficient performance of their ordinary police work.