The Sun.
London, England, 1848-07-08 00:00:00

NEW HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT.

In reply to a question from Mr. OSBORNE,
Mr. GREENE stated that it was intended, perhaps
next year, but certainly not this, to pull down the tem-
porary committee-rooms of the House, to facilitate the
progress of the new buildings. It was also intended to
improve the vaults and eight committee•rooms in the
cloisters, but these proceedings would involve no change
in Mr. Barry's original plans.
METROPOLITAN POLICE.

Sir B. HALL, pursuant to notice, asked the Secretary
of State for the .Home Department to state the rem-
sons why the Bill for limiting the amount to be
raised out of the rates for support of the
metropolitan police was withdrawn; and whether it is
intended to act up to the understanding conveyed by
Mr. Phillips, aed by the Police Commissioners, in letters
dated December and January last, that the ratepayers
shall not be called upon to pay more than they have
hitherto done for the support of the police.
Sir R. H. INGLIS was also anxious to ask the Right
Hon. Baronet a question in reference to this subject,
though it was in no way connected with the fiscal part
of it. He wished to bear his testimony—
The SPEAKER called the lion. Member to order.
Sir R. H. INGLIS apprehended that if he moved the
adjournment of the House it would put him in a position
to make his statement, but it would save time if the
House would allow him to proceed without making that
motion.
Mr. E. DENISON rose to order. The Hon. Baronet
had no right to make a statement which at present was
irregular, because he could make such statement by
moving the adjournment of the House. The Hon. Baronet
ought to be restrained from making his statement until
be had moved the adjournment of the House.
The SPEAKER intimated that the Hon. Gentleman
would not be in order unless he intended to conclude
with a motion.
Sir R. H. INGLIS did not intend to conclude with a
motion. Seeing that the public of this country had ob-
tained so much advantage from the police force, be
merely wished to take advantage of a precedent and—
Mr. HUME rose to order.—(Leughter.) Unless the
Hon. Baronet intended to conclude with a motion, he
would not be in order ; he could, he submitted, bring
forward his observations when the adjournment of the
House until Monday was moved.
Sir GEORGE GREY replied to the questions.
The 10th George IV., c. 44, sec. 23, empowered
the levying of a rate upon the ratepayers of
the metropolis, fir the purpose of maintaining the
police not exceeding Bd. in the pound. 10,0001. for-
merly applied to the Bow-street patrol out of the public
funds was devoted towards paying the cost of the po-
lice. By a subsequent Act the rate was reduced to
ed. in the pound, and the Government were empowered
to devote 60,000/. of the public money to the same pur-
pose. At present 219,000/. was levied on the metropo-
litan parishes, and 98,869/. (as we understood) paid out
of the public funds. In consequence of representations, the
Government introduced a Bill to empower the Commis-
sioners of Police to levy a less rate than 6d. in the pound.
The Bill had been withdrawn, but circumstances had
recently occurred which rendered an increase of the force
necessary, and the whole question at issue was,
who was to pay the additional cost. He should be
happy at all times to meet deputations on the subject,
but the recent report which had appeared in the news-
papers with regard to a deputation that had waited upon
him was altogether incorrect. He did not think there
was much reason to complain, seeing the reduction
that had taken place in the rate. He hoped to see the
equalireation of the rates which had taken place in Mid-
dlesex would extend to neighbouring counties.
Mr. HUME hoped the subject would be referred to a
Committee.
Sir G. GREY had no objection to lay upon the table
of the House a statement snowing the increased duty of
the police.—(Hear, hear.) Since the police had been
established, no less than 200 miles length of streets had
been added to the metropolis.—(Hear, hear.)
Sir H. 11. INGLIS wished to know whether or not an
unprecedented resignation hail taken place of the per-
sires in the police force between the 10th of April and
the 6th of May last. He teas also desirous of knowing
to what extent the Government intended to increase the
arid whether they had entered into any arrange-
ment with the Electric Telegraph Company to furnish
information to the Government.
Sir G. GREY said that the increase intended to be
made by the Government in the police would be 500;
that the resignations in the police force between the 10th
of April and the 6th of May was not more than usual;
and that the offer of the Electric Telegraph Company
to giro information to the Government was under con-
sideration.