SIR CHARLES WARREN.
Mr. ATHERLEY-JONES asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention had been called to an article by the Chief Commissioner of Metropolitan Police, published in "Murray's Magazine" of this month, in which the Commissioner discusses the management and discipline of the police under his control, and makes disparaging remarks upon members of the late Government; and, whether it is in accordance with usage and discipline of the Civil Service that a salaried official should be permitted to publicly discuss matters relating to his department, and disparage the conduct of ex-Ministers of the Crown; and, if not, whether he has seen fit to take any action in the matter.
Mr. MATTHEWS: My attention has been called to the article in question, and I am assured by the Commissioner that his statements were made without reference to party. He pointed out to me one passage in which he refers to "successive" Governments, and not to any one Government in particular. As to the usages and discipline of the Civil Service in entering upon discussions of matters of public importance, I cannot do better than refer the hon. member to an answer given by the First Lord of the Treasury on March 15, where he will find the subject fully dealt with. In 1879 the then Home Secretary issued a regulation by which officers attached to the department were precluded from publishing works on matters relating to the service without permission. The present Commissioner says he was not aware of the existence of the rule. I have called his attention to it, and requested him to observe it. (Opposition cheers.)
