Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSON:

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt by many local authorities at the small percentage of representatives which they have on the Committee he has appointed to consider the question of deductions from police pay and allowances; and, in view of the desirability of the Committee's findings being generally accepted by those concerned, will he consider the desirability of increasing the size of the Committee so as to give the direct representatives of the ratepayers and taxpayers a larger representation than four out of 16 members as at present?

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received from any watch committees of municipal corporations, or other police authorities, representations as to the constitution of the Committee set up by him to consider the question of police pay and allowances; and whether he will be prepared to increase the non-official representation on that Committee?

The Committee have already completed their labours, having presented on 9th June a Report which, I am happy to say, was unanimous.

Is it not correct to say that the representation on this Committee is really 12, representing the taxpayers and the ratepayers, as against four from the rank and file of the police service?

I do not think that my hon. Friend's figures are quite accurate. I have tried, in forming this Committee, to get a representation of the whole of the parties without a very strict reference to the arithmetical proportion. I am glad to say that the Committee has been most successful, and that they have presented a unanimous Report with acclamation.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the representatives of the police rank and file are only four as against a total of 16? Does he not depreciate the attempt now being made to reconstitute the police council from which this Committee is drawn?

I think that it would be a very great pity to attack this Committee, because it has done so well.