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Metropolitan Police.

Oral Answers to Questions — Housing. – in the House of Commons at on 30 July 1934.

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Photo of Mr Valentine McEntee Mr Valentine McEntee , Walthamstow West

104.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give the date from which the Metropolitan Police canteens were removed from the direct control of a representative committee of the Metropolitan Police, and the names and qualifications of those who have superseded the committee; and what steps have been or are proposed to he taken to liquidate the property and assets of the canteen organisation outside those of the Receiver of the Metropolitan Police?

Photo of Mr John Gilmour Mr John Gilmour , Glasgow Pollok

The proposed change in the personnel of the controlling body of the Metropolitan Police canteens has not yet taken place, but it will be made shortly. The names and qualifications of the new members of the controlling body are:

  • Mr. H. Alker Tripp, Assistant Commissioner,
  • Mr. J. R. H. Nott-Bower, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, and
  • Sir Francis Griffith, C.S.I., O.B.E., Chief Constable.
Two of these have over 30, and the third over 20, years' experience of administration. There is no question of liquidating property or assets, which will continue to be held on behalf of the whole force. The only change is in the personnel of the controlling body.

Photo of Mr Valentine McEntee Mr Valentine McEntee , Walthamstow West

105.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in some divisions of the Metropolitan Police, during the absence of the Superintendent, the divisions have been placed in charge of inexperienced persons given the rank of Chief Inspector; and, in such cases, what are the duties of the Divisional Chief Inspector, who is a man of long experience and whom it has been the practice to appoint acting Superintendent?

Photo of Mr John Gilmour Mr John Gilmour , Glasgow Pollok

In three divisions of the Metropolitan Police the Chief Inspector on the Headquarters Staff of the District concerned has in the temporary absence of the Superintendent been placed in charge of the Division for a short period with the object of giving him some personal experience of the work of a Superintendent. The appointment of an acting Superintendent does not affect the duties of a Divisional Chief Inspector, but he will, of course, co-operate with the acting Superintendent in carrying out the Superintendent's duties.

Photo of Mr Valentine McEntee Mr Valentine McEntee , Walthamstow West

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in some cases recently the person put in charge of a Division has had less than 12 months' service, no outside experience, and just a few months' experience in the office? Does he consider it fair that men with long service, who have won their position by merit, should be put out of their job by people with no experience whatever?

Photo of Mr John Gilmour Mr John Gilmour , Glasgow Pollok

I am satisfied that the efficiency of the Force is being maintained.

division

The House of Commons votes by dividing. Those voting Aye (yes) to any proposition walk through the division lobby to the right of the Speaker and those voting no through the lobby to the left. In each of the lobbies there are desks occupied by Clerks who tick Members' names off division lists as they pass through. Then at the exit doors the Members are counted by two Members acting as tellers. The Speaker calls for a vote by announcing "Clear the Lobbies". In the House of Lords "Clear the Bar" is called. Division Bells ring throughout the building and the police direct all Strangers to leave the vicinity of the Members’ Lobby. They also walk through the public rooms of the House shouting "division". MPs have eight minutes to get to the Division Lobby before the doors are closed. Members make their way to the Chamber, where Whips are on hand to remind the uncertain which way, if any, their party is voting. Meanwhile the Clerks who will take the names of those voting have taken their place at the high tables with the alphabetical lists of MPs' names on which ticks are made to record the vote. When the tellers are ready the counting process begins - the recording of names by the Clerk and the counting of heads by the tellers. When both lobbies have been counted and the figures entered on a card this is given to the Speaker who reads the figures and announces "So the Ayes [or Noes] have it". In the House of Lords the process is the same except that the Lobbies are called the Contents Lobby and the Not Contents Lobby. Unlike many other legislatures, the House of Commons and the House of Lords have not adopted a mechanical or electronic means of voting. This was considered in 1998 but rejected. Divisions rarely take less than ten minutes and those where most Members are voting usually take about fifteen. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P9 at the UK Parliament site.