asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider the desirability of amending the existing Regulations so as to allow members of all grades of the police force to become members of registered social or political clubs in the same manner that their superior officers are; and whether any Regulation exists which prevents an inspector, sergeant, or constable entering a hotel or public-house when off duty for the purpose of obtaining refreshment in the same manner that an ordinary citizen does?

The Regulations on both these subjects are made by the local police authorities, and they vary a good deal in different forces. I think it is desirable that the police, who are servants of the public, should not be closely identified with any political association, and equally desirable that in view of their duties they should be guarded in their use of public-houses. I am not prepared to advise relaxation of the existing practice under either head.