§ Mr. H McLARENasked the Home Secretary if he is aware that ex-Constable Allsworth, who had served 17 years in the police force with a clean sheet and an exemplary character, but who had been dismissed for coming out on strike, was recently evicted with his wife and young children by orders of the Commissioner of Police from rooms he occupied at a time when he could find no other place to go to; that at the date of his eviction two of his children were suffering from whooping cough; that the Commissioner of Police refused to allow the furniture to remain in the rooms even until the following day, when a cart would have been available for its removal; that in consequence the furniture had to stay in the area all night exposed to the weather; who is the official responsible for this action; if he will have this official dismissed the service; and whether a claim is now being made by the police for the expenses of the eviction amounting to £15 19s.
§ Mr. SHORTTEx-Constable Allsworth has remained in occupation of police quarters to which he had no right since August last, and as they were urgently required for a police officer it became necessary to obtain an ejectment order against him. The order was due to take effect on the 27th February last, but its enforcement was postponed on Allsworth's representations that his children were too ill from whooping cough to be removed. It was found on enquiry that this was not the case, and as there was no further justification for delay effect was given to the order on 12th March. His furniture was not left in the open, but was placed in a motor van, except for a few household utensils which were left under an arch in the basement of the house and removed the following morning. I am satisfied that Allsworth has been treated with every consideration, and I do not propose to take any action in the matter. He was for more than six months in occupation of police premises to which he had no claim and for which he has paid no rent, and I see no reason why the costs of the eject-ment proceedings should be borne by the Police Fund.